Health experts in the United Kingdom have issued an urgent warning to households following a dramatic rise in cases of scabies. The highly contagious skin condition, often described as a 'Victorian disease', has seen infection rates surge to double the five-year average. Data from the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) indicates that the spread of the condition is accelerating, prompting doctors to ask the public to be vigilant about itchy rashes.
According to the latest surveillance report from the RCGP's Research and Surveillance Centre, the number of people visiting their GP with scabies has risen sharply. The data, covering the final weeks of 2025 and moving into January 2026, shows a vertical spike on the graphs. While scabies is not uncommon in winter, the current levels are significantly higher than what doctors usually see. The rate of incidence is now sitting well above the seasonal norm, causing concern among medical professionals who are already busy with winter flu and other seasonal illnesses.
