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The Yolde Pate Correctional Centre has recorded 51 cases of scabies among inmates in Yola South Local Government Area of Adamawa state.
The state Epidemiologist, Damba Kwinke, from the Ministry of Health, who gave the confirmation, said the first case was recorded in August 2023.
Kwinke stated that investigations revealed that some of the individuals held in the Criminal Investigation Department at the state police headquarters were among those who had contracted the disease, including the index case.
He said scabies is caused by an infestation of parasitic mites that cause intense itching to the skin.
“The disease is highly contagious, and it can easily be transmitted from person to person, causing secondary skin infections,” he said.
The state epidemiologist urged the authorities of the correctional centre to promote hygiene among staff and inmates to prevent the outbreak from spreading further.
He said Yolde-pate Correctional Centre is currently the only facility in the state with recorded cases of scabies.
In response to the outbreak, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, Barrister Isuwa Misali, delivered health kits and sanitary materials to the correctional centre to help address the issue.
The correctional centre received 16 different health items, including Sulphur ointment, sanitizers, face masks, hypo, hand wash, cotton wool, medicated soap, hard duty gloves, ORS, and Calamine Lotion.
