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Otley rugby club postpones match after scrum pox outbreak

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 19 Oct, 16:02 · Archive

Otley RUFC has postponed its match against Hull Ionians after an outbreak of scrum pox among its players.

Otley rugby club announced that its away match against Hull Ionians scheduled for October 17–18 has been postponed to November 28 after an outbreak of scrum pox. A number of players were required to isolate to prevent spread of the infection and address public health concerns. The club stated in a statement that players' welfare was their primary concern.

Scrum pox is a herpes simplex virus infection spread through close physical contact during rugby matches. The condition is most commonly linked to forwards and front-row players, whose frequent face-to-face contact increases the risk of transmission. According to a 1979 study published in the British Medical Journal, the infection was often mistaken for impetigo and was typically associated with forwards involved in scrums. The research concluded that isolating infected players was important to prevent transmission.

Otley RUFC press officer Nick Doyle said the decision to postpone the match allowed affected players time to isolate. He stressed that the outbreak was limited to players and was not something local residents needed to be concerned about. The announcement prompted online reaction from fans saying they had not heard of scrum pox for decades.

Otley rugby club postpones match after scrum pox outbreak
Image: Wharfedale Observer

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In this story: Otley RUFC · Hull Ionians · British Medical Journal

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