Several cases of scabies — described by the NHS as “an itchy rash spread through close skin contact” — have been reported in the UK recently, which has led to school closures
Schools have been forced to close due to an outbreak of a Victorian-era disease.
Twelve further cases of scabies were confirmed by a medical professional yesterday, in addition to the seven recognised earlier this month. These were all across just one local authority — Torbay in Devon — where five schools are dealing with cases of scabies, it is said.
Those five schools, which include two primary schools, are closed to protect children. Medical professionals across the UK are now urging parents, carers, and workers to get in touch with their schools to learn about the measures being implemented following the outbreak.
Torbay Help Hub, a community centre in Torquay, Devon, has stated: “Confirmed scabies cases at the following Torbay locations. Symptoms include: intense itching, especially at night, and a rash with tiny red spots or bumps.
“If you think you may have scabies, stay home, avoid contact with others and call NHS 111 non-emergency line. Please contact your school, college, or workplace to find out what measures they are putting in place.”
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South Devon College had previously sent an email to parents and carers warning of a confirmed outbreak of scabies among several students, as reported by DevonLive earlier this week.
The college announced: “We have been notified of seven confirmed cases of scabies amongst our student community. These cases have been diagnosed by a health professional”.
But Devon Live reports there were no cases among staff at the college, which is in Paignton, that caters for around 2,300 students.
Scabies is a skin condition caused by a mite that burrows into the skin, leading to intense itching due to an allergic reaction to the parasite and its waste products.
The UKHSA explained: “Scabies is a parasitic infection of the skin caused by the Sarcoptes scabiei mite, which buries into the skin and causes intense itching and rashes. Transmission from person to person occurs through close physical contact including, but not exclusively, sexual contact.”
While scabies requires treatment to disappear, infections don’t simply pass with time. Although it’s not usually a serious condition, scabies does need to be treated.
Anyone diagnosed with scabies should start treatment immediately, and all individuals in their household will also need to be treated simultaneously, regardless of whether they have symptoms or not.
The NHS stated: “Scabies is an itchy rash caused by mites. It’s spread through close skin contact, and anyone can get it. It should be treated quickly to stop it spreading. The symptoms include intense itching, especially at night, and a raised rash or spots.”
Adults and children aged five years or over can return to work or school as soon as they have started treatment, but it’s crucial to avoid close contact with others for the first 24 hours. Children under five years old can return to nursery or pre-school 24 hours after the first treatment.
