🦠 Fresh warning over Victorian era ‘nightmare’ disease spreading unnoticed in schools
Health experts have issued a fresh warning about rising scabies cases across the UK, after outbreaks were confirmed in several educational settings and reports surfaced of school closures. The condition, often associated with the Victorian era, can easily be mistaken for eczema, meaning cases may be spreading for weeks before being identified.
🏫 Rising Cases and School Concerns
An email sent to parents at South Devon College confirmed that seven students had been diagnosed with scabies, prompting heightened caution among families.
Several schools in Torbay were also rumoured online to have temporarily closed due to suspected outbreaks, although Torbay Council has clarified that no schools have shut as a result of scabies.
The council said it was aware of “a small number of cases” in the area but stressed that scabies is not a notifiable disease, and schools have been managing communication directly with parents.
Other regions have reported similar issues, including London, the North of England, Cornwall and multiple universities, care homes and nursing homes.
🗣️ What Experts Are Saying
Dr Firas Al-Niaimi, a consultant dermatologist in London, warned that rising cases may be linked to delays in diagnosis.“Patients might not present to their GP because they think it is just eczema,” he said, noting that the early symptoms look similar to eczema, psoriasis and allergic reactions.
Because scabies is highly contagious, late recognition can allow it to spread quickly among households, schools and shared living spaces.
Dr Donald Grant, GP and Senior Clinical Advisor at The Independent Pharmacy, said seasonal behaviour may also be contributing to the spike.
“With children returning to school and university, close contact in shared spaces is common, further heightening the risk of spreading this incredibly contagious condition,” he explained.
He added that misdiagnosis is a major issue, with many people assuming the rash is eczema or an allergy.
📜 Scabies: Symptoms, Causes and How It Spreads
Scabies is caused by microscopic mites (Sarcoptes scabiei) that burrow into the skin and lay eggs. They are difficult to see, and symptoms often take weeks to fully develop.
Common signs include:
• Intense itching, especially at night
• Red, flaky or crusty rash
• Tiny raised bumps or spots
• Silvery or dark burrow lines between 2 and 10mm
• Symptoms often appearing between the fingers, on the wrists, underarms, waist, groin or buttocks
Scabies can appear differently on darker skin, sometimes making the rash harder to see, though bumps or lines can still be felt.
While it usually avoids the head, it can affect the face, scalp and neck in elderly people or those with weakened immune systems.
The UK Health Security Agency recently added oral ivermectin as a licenced treatment, urging health professionals to treat cases immediately to reduce symptoms, complications and further spread.
⚖️ The Bigger Picture and Differing Viewpoints
The rise in cases has prompted debate about whether community settings are prepared for managing outbreaks of highly contagious skin conditions.
Some believe the real issue is delayed diagnosis and confusion with other skin problems, which allows scabies to spread silently through schools and homes.
Others argue that scabies is common and manageable, and that the reported spikes reflect increased awareness rather than a genuine surge in transmission.
There is also ongoing discussion about whether schools need clearer guidance on communication and prevention, particularly when misinformation can quickly spread on social media.
💬 Your Thoughts: Are Schools and Families Being Given Enough Information?
With scabies on the rise and symptoms often mistaken for eczema, do you think schools, GP practices and health authorities provide enough guidance to help parents catch it early?Should there be clearer protocols when multiple cases appear, or is the current approach enough?
Share your thoughts below — your experiences help others across Essex stay informed.
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🦠 Fresh warning over Victorian era ‘nightmare’ disease spreading unnoticed in schools
Health experts are warning that scabies may be spreading unnoticed through schools and colleges after several confirmed cases and reports of outbreaks. The Victorian era disease is often mistaken for eczema, delaying diagnosis and increasing transmission.
04/12/2025