A Maryland fire department is dealing with an outbreak of scabies among firefighters at multiple stations.
The highly contagious condition involving mites that burrow under the skin has infected 20 Prince George's County firefighters at 13 separate stations throughout the county as of Monday, WRC-TV reports. So far, more than 200 department employees have been tested for scabies, Fire Chief Ben Barksdale told the TV station.
None of the firefighters with scabies will be responding to calls, and the department is reaching out to those who might have had contacted with those firefighters who tested for the condition as a precaution. Barksdale told WRC that service to the community will not be affected.
Symptoms of scabies include a rash, as well as itching. It's spread through close body contact.
