A school has been urgently shut down after the outbreak of the highly contagious disease Scabies, with other schools in the area also reporting cases.
The headteacher of South Devon College was forced to take the drastic measures after at least seven children fell ill.
Scabies, a condition often considered consigned to history in the developed world, manifests through inflamed, crusty red skin.
It is caused by microscopic mites that burrow beneath the skin and is spread through close skin contact.
Parents of children at South Devon College received the worrying email informing them that the institution would be shut down.
“We have been notified of seven confirmed cases of scabies amongst our student community.
“These cases have been diagnosed by a health professional,” the email informed.
The outbreak has affected at least five schools across Devon, prompting concern from officials within the county, according to Metro.
Scabies manifests as inflamed, crusty red skin
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Medics warn that the disease frequently goes undetected initially, enabling unknowing carriers to transmit it to others.
Some individuals remain asymptomatic whilst contagious, compounding transmission risks.
London consultant dermatologist Dr Firas Al-Niaimi warned: “Scabies is very contagious and spreads very quickly, so it needs to be caught early to limit infections.”
He explained patients might avoid seeking GP treatment, mistakenly believing they have eczema instead.
The condition is casued by microscopic mites that burrow beneath the skin
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Torbay Council has addressed concerns about the outbreak, confirming awareness of infections in their area but stressed individual cases were not an immediate cause for concern.
The council stated: “We are aware of a small number of scabies cases in the area, but scabies is not a condition that needs to be reported to health authorities.”
Despite reports suggesting three Torbay-area schools had recorded infections, the local authority refuted claims of any closures linked to the outbreak.
They added: “No schools in Torbay have closed because of this.
However, they added: “Individual schools are communicating directly with parents and carers, and we ask families to speak to their child’s school with any concerns.”
Although it is considered a mild condition, scabies often does not usually clear of its own accord and requires treatment.