The Tribune

By RASHAD ROLLE

Tribune Staff Reporter

rolle@tribunemedia.net

EDUCATION Director Lionel Sands has confirmed reports about a scabies scare at DW Davis Junior High School.

He could not say how many people contracted the infection, however.

According to unconfirmed reports, five students of the junior high school contracted the contagious skin infection.

Mr Sands denied reports that teachers are preparing to hold a sit-in today over the matter, adding that school officials have been in discussions with union representatives.

He added that appropriate measures have been taken to stop the transmission of the infection.

“Everything should be back to normal by tomorrow,” he said.

“I do know I was called by the secretary general (of the teachers union) and the superintendent of the area to say they met and were able to work out the challenges.

“All the measures that were supposed to be in place were in place to deal with the persons who may have contracted it.”

Those measures, he said, included involving the Department of Environmental Health.

“Once persons are identified, they are treated and isolated from those who don’t have the infection and those who may have come in contact with those that do are also seen and treated,” he said.

Mr Sands expressed confidence that the matter was dealt with in a timely fashion.

He said the infection was contracted outside of the school’s grounds, not within.

Scabies is caused by a tiny mite, which can cause an intense itching sensation.

It is classified by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as a water-related disease that may be transmitted from objects.

It is usually transmitted by direct skin-to-skin contact, with a higher risk with prolonged contact.

Bahamas Union of Teachers (BUT) officials updated their union’s Facebook page with a message about the infection on Saturday.

They warned teachers to be on the look out for the infection and to immediately report it if they suspect a child has it.

Union officials could not be personally reached for comments on the matter up to press time yesterday.