The Wire

It’s a microscopic mite that can cause intense itching and scratching when in a mild form. Crusted scabies is a severe form of the disease, and affects remote Aboriginal communities of northern Australia. While not fatal, the disease often leaves patients debilitated and disfigured. According to a new article in the Medical Journal of Australia, Indigenous communities in East Arnhem Land have the highest rates of crusted scabies in the world.