FALMOUTH – Maine health officials say they are investigating a scabies outbreak at a nursing facility.
Close up of an elderly man’s inner forearm arm severely infested with scabies.
WGME-TV reports a Sedgewood Commons spokesperson said in a statement that residents and staff members are undergoing treatment and that they are in touch with the families of the patients. Officials say the outbreak at the Falmouth facility started in October.
Scabies is a contagious skin disease caused by a parasitic mite that burrows under skin to deposit eggs. It causes intense itching.
Corey Bourque’s father is a resident at the facility who contracted scabies. Bourque understands outbreaks can happen, but says the facility should have contacted families sooner.
Maine Center for Disease Control spokeswoman Emily Spencer says the department’s Division of Licensing Department is waiting for the facility to submit a plan of correction.
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