Scabies Outbreak Reported at Cornish College

Truro and Penwith College in Cornwall has issued a warning about a scabies outbreak among students, with cases increasing by 73%. The college's communication to parents emphasized that scabies is highly contagious and can take up to eight weeks for symptoms, such as an itchy rash, to appear. Parents are urged to consult a GP if their child develops symptoms and to ensure all household members are treated simultaneously. Scabies is caused by tiny mites that spread through prolonged skin contact and shared items like towels and clothing. The rash typically affects areas such as fingers, wrists, and underarms but usually spares the head and neck. This alert follows a significant increase in reported cases of the Victorian disease among schoolchildren.