Scabies confirmed at Beale childcare center, treatment measures set in place

  • Published
  • By Staff Report
  • 9th Reconnaissance Wing Public Affairs

Due to confirmed cases of scabies at the Beale Child Development Center (CDC), the 9th Medical Group will issue home treatment kits to parents and caregivers at the CDC during both morning drop-off and afternoon pick-up hours on Tuesday, July 2, as a proactive measure to contain this harmless but bothersome condition.

Following six confirmed cases of scabies, isolated to the CDC preschool rooms, the 9th MDG will take an assertive approach to prevent further spread of the condition by providing the potentially exposed children, adult caregivers and their entire households with a prescription cream to be applied at home. This cream will eliminate the scabies mites and their eggs.

The CDC and 9th MDG staff are working to notify affected families of the available treatments, with additional information to be provided on Tuesday, July 2.

Although scabies is not an immediate health risk, if left untreated the microscopic mites can survive on the skin for months, burrow in, and ultimately cause an itchy rash to form.

It can take two to six weeks after an exposure to scabies for symptoms to develop.

Please avoid skin-to-skin contact with a person known or suspected of having scabies, as well as any contact with items such as clothing or bedding used by an infested person.  Additional control measures will be provided at the CDC point of distribution for the medication on Tuesday.

Individuals who believe they have been exposed to or contracted scabies should consult a medical provider immediately. For non-duty hours or over the weekend, individuals can contact the Nurse Advice Line at 1-800-TRICARE (847-2273) and select option 1.

Questions regarding this topic can be directed to the 9th MDG Public Health flight at (530) 634-4945 or the “AFMS Beale 9th Medical Group” Facebook page. An informational graphic on scabies can also be found on the 9th MDG Facebook page.