Herald Wales: Pembrokeshire MP demands answers over scabies cases in schools.

Henry Tufnell writes to health board chief executive as concerns grow over reported infections affecting children and hospital patients across West Wales.

PEMBROKESHIRE MP Henry Tufnell has written to the chief executive of Hywel Dda University Health Board seeking answers over reports of scabies affecting schoolchildren, following confirmed outbreaks in hospitals across West Wales.

In a letter dated Tuesday (October 13), the Labour MP for Mid and South Pembrokeshire asked Professor Phil Kloer to establish the extent of infections in Pembrokeshire and explain the measures being taken to prevent further transmission.

The intervention follows The Pembrokeshire Herald’s investigation into reported scabies concerns in schools, nurseries, care homes and healthcare settings.

Mr Tufnell wrote: “In recent days, there have been concerning reports of scabies cases amongst children in Pembrokeshire, with parents reporting that their children have been sent home from school with the highly contagious skin condition.”

He asked the health board to set out the steps it is taking to “establish the extent of infections in Pembrokeshire” and “prevent any further spread of infection within healthcare settings, schools, and the wider community”.

Health board confirms higher number of cases

His letter comes after Hywel Dda confirmed to The Herald on Monday (October 12) that it had experienced a higher number of scabies cases in its area.

Dr Ardiana Gjini, the health board’s Director of Public Health, said: “Scabies is a common and treatable skin condition. We have recently seen a higher number of cases in Hywel Dda and, as a precautionary measure, temporarily closed affected wards to allow enhanced infection prevention and control measures to be undertaken.”

The health board has not supplied The Herald with a total number of confirmed cases or a breakdown by county. It said scabies is not a notifiable disease and that it does not publish case numbers. Read the health board’s full response here.

Hospital outbreaks and school reports

In his letter, Mr Tufnell referred to outbreaks at Prince Philip Hospital in Llanelli and Glangwili Hospital in Carmarthen.

At Prince Philip Hospital, visiting restrictions were introduced on September 27 while affected wards were closed and additional infection-control measures carried out. Hywel Dda said on October 7 that Wards 4 and 7 had reopened and general visiting had resumed, although restrictions remained at Mynydd Mawr Rehabilitation Unit.

At Glangwili Hospital, Cadog Ward was closed in September because of a scabies outbreak.

Hywel Dda has emphasised that some patients have arrived at hospital with infections acquired in the community, rather than necessarily contracting scabies in hospital. It has said the risk to the wider public remains low.

The Herald has separately received accounts from parents concerned about children developing symptoms and experiencing suspected reinfection after treatment. The source of those reported infections has not been independently established.

Questions remain over scale of infections

Scabies is caused by microscopic mites that burrow into the skin, often producing an intensely itchy rash. It usually spreads through prolonged close physical contact and is treatable. Treating close contacts together is important to help prevent reinfection.

Mr Tufnell’s request for information raises further questions about how the extent of infections is being assessed when county-level figures are not routinely published.

The Herald will continue seeking information from the health board, local authorities and public health officials about outbreaks, infection-control measures and the response in schools and care settings.