There has been an increase in cases of scabies parts of Wales, and some parents are claiming their children have been reinfected after returning to school, according to media reports.
The reports follow outbreaks at two Welsh hospitals, one of which closed wards, and prompted hospitals and residential care facilities to introduce measures to control the spread of the highly contagious skin condition.
A local resident told The Pembrokeshire Herald that her children had contracted scabies and were sent home for treatment. When they returned to school, they became infected again.
She believes her children were reinfected at school, though the source of the infection has not been confirmed.
Last week, Bronllys Hospital, near Brecon, confirmed an outbreak in one of its wards, and they had imposed visiting restrictions. Staff and affected patients were offered treatment to prevent further cases.
Hywel Dda University Health Board confirmed in the last week of September that two wards at Prince Philip Hospital in Llanelli had closed following scabies cases.
They were reopened after a cleanup, but the restrictions continue.
The health board also said scabies cases had been reported in a small number of residential homes in Carmarthenshire.
Scabies is a parasitic skin infection caused by the microscopic Sarcoptes scabiei mite.
The female mite burrows into the skin to lay eggs which then hatch out and multiply.
The infection can spread from person to person via direct skin contact, including sexual contact.
It causes intense itching with eruptions on the skin.
