Warning to students after scabies outbreak at college

An email was issued to all students on Tuesday morning, revealing that “a couple” of learners had been diagnosed and were receiving treatment.

It has since been revealed that there has been five diagnosed cases within a group of friends.

The email states: “If you are diagnosed as being infected, you must remain away from College until your prescribed treatment has been completed.

“Please inform your tutor if you have been positively diagnosed.”

Dave Foy, estates, health and safety manager at the college in St Vincent’s Road, said: “This week Preston’s College has had five isolated cases of scabies confirmed amongst a small group of friends, with no new cases reported since Tuesday.

“The affected learners are off-site and receiving treatment for the condition.

“The College has followed its duty of care towards learner wellbeing and has equally been pro-active in informing learners of the cases, with links to further advice and information made available via the NHS Direct online service.

“No members of staff at the College have been diagnosed with scabies and there has been no disruption to classes.”

Scabies is a contagious skin condition caused by tiny mites that burrow into the skin. The main is intense itching that’s worse at night. It also causes a skin rash on areas where the mites have burrowed.

Scabies like warm places, such as skin folds, between the fingers, under fingernails, or around the buttock or breast creases.

Scabies is usually spread through prolonged periods of skin-to-skin contact with an infected person.