Authorities in Utah have quarantined dozens of prisoners as they deal with an outbreak of the extremely contagious skin disease scabies.
Scabies, caused by parasitic mites that burrow into the skin and lay eggs, have affected at least 57 individuals in the Green Unit of the Utah State Correctional Facility in Salt Lake City, as per The Independent.
Scabies Outbreak Sparks Quarantine Measures in Utah Prison
Glen Mills, the communications director for the state's Department of Corrections, revealed that the mites might have spread through shared laundry facilities. In response to the outbreak, the prison initially restricted visitors from seeing inmates in the affected area, but these restrictions were lifted over the weekend.
Scabies is a condition that typically spreads through prolonged skin-to-skin contact, often during sexual activity. However, it can also be transmitted through the sharing of towels, clothing, or proximity.
Individuals with scabies commonly experience intense itching and develop a pimple-like rash. Scratching this itch can lead to open sores, making them susceptible to bacterial infections.
While scabies is relatively rare, it is not well-known among the general population. Prison officials are taking steps to educate their staff about scabies to prevent future outbreaks. Mills stated, "We will continue also, from this point, to provide comprehensive training for our staff as we come off this isolation status to evaluate how this went and if and how we can improve."
Scabies is caused by tiny human itch mites known as Sarcoptes scabiei var. hominis. These mites burrow into the upper layer of the skin to feed, live, and lay eggs. The waste products of these mites trigger an immune response in the host, resulting in severe itching and a rash resembling pimples.
The time it takes for scabies symptoms to appear varies, with first-time infections typically showing signs after four to eight weeks. For individuals previously exposed to scabies, symptoms can develop as soon as one to four days after exposure, according to The Messenger via MSN.
Characteristic Rash in Scabies
The hallmark symptom of scabies is severe itching, often intensifying at night. This itching results from an immune response to the mites and their waste products. It can be so severe that it interferes with sleep and daily activities.
Another common symptom is the appearance of a rash, characterized by small red bumps that often form a line. These bumps can resemble hives, insect bites, or pimples.
The inflammation and itching tend to develop in areas where the mites frequently burrow, including the hands (especially between the fingers), wrists, elbow creases, armpits, nipples, belly button, waistline, buttocks, and genital region.
Additionally, scabies can leave behind thin, wavy, raised lesions known as burrows. These caves are created by female mites as they lay eggs and are typically less than one centimeter long. They may appear skin-colored or grayish-white and can be challenging to see with the naked eye.
The scabies outbreak in the Utah State Correctional Facility underscores the importance of swift and effective measures to contain and treat the condition to prevent further spread among inmates and staff. Education and awareness are critical to managing and controlling such outbreaks, especially in confined environments like correctional facilities, as per Health.
