The Health Directorate is informing us that their scabies outbreak (the horrible flesh burrowing parasite) at the Alexander Maconochie Centre has risen to 17 confirmed cases:
“Scabies is an infectious skin condition which is common in the community but can spread rapidly through institutions where a large number of people live in close contact. As at 12 September 2012, 17 cases have been identified,” Dr Kelly said.
“The Action Plan for managing the scabies outbreak will make sure staff or detainees with signs or symptoms will be assessed and treated by the Hume Health Centre. All contacts of cases will be assessed and treated too.
“Contacts which included all detainees at AMC and any staff that had regular contact with detainees were treated last night,” Dr Kelly said.
“An ongoing surveillance plan will also be developed and implemented at the Hume Health Centre to monitor for new cases in the coming week.
“If further cases are identified, the Scabies Management Group will consider further interventions.
We bet all the sufferers are thrilled with the human rights compliance of the facility.