A simple solution could stop the spread of scabies in pre-schools

A study in the New Zealand Medical Journal of 67 children in poorer parts of Auckland found more than half have signs of scabies lesions.

Caused by mites, the condition is associated with bacterial skin infections, rheumatic fever and kidney disease.

Auckland University epidemiologist Simon Thornley says Ivermectin is an effective tablet treatment and much better than the lotions on offer.

But he says the drug is very hard to get for GPs - and making it more available would help reduce the problem.