Scabies transmission in healthcare settings is most commonly through which contact?

• A. Close contact between patients and healthcare workers
• B. Airborne droplets
• C. Fomites only
• D. Bloodborne contact

Answer: (A)

Scabies spreads primarily through prolonged close skin-to-skin contact. In healthcare settings, caring for patients involves frequent close contact, making this the most efficient route for the mites to move from one person to another. Airborne droplets and bloodborne transmission aren’t how scabies spreads, and while contaminated objects (fomites) can carry mites briefly, direct contact during caregiving is still the main route. This is why infection prevention focuses on strict contact precautions, prompt identification and treatment of cases, and thorough cleaning and laundering of fabrics and linens to reduce transmission.