The Spanish Ministry of Defence has confirmed 24 cases of Scabies (scabies) among military personnel who were transferred to Ceuta to support the security forces. According to the authorities, two infections date from before the latest mass arrival of migrants. The Ministry rules out a causal link with contact with those arriving. The affected soldiers are receiving the treatment recommended by the health authorities; cleaning and hygiene measures have also been introduced in the affected areas.
The Defence Ministry’s statement followed questions from the Unión de Militares de Tropa (UMT) and the Asociación de Tropa y Marinería Española (ATME), which had called for information about the outbreak and the protective measures. The Jefatura de Sanidad of the Comandancia General de Ceuta had activated a standard protocol to identify symptoms early, standardise care for those affected and sanitise the accommodation. The aim is to prevent further transmission and keep the units operational.
Scabies is caused by infestation with the mite Sarcoptes scabiei and is common in damp, crowded or poorly maintained accommodation. The Defence Ministry points to these epidemiological conditions and stresses that the cases currently known cannot be attributed to the recent contact with migrants. As the incubation period can range from days to weeks, it is generally difficult to link an infection with certainty to a single event.
The UMT had previously reported publicly that at least 14 people in one company were infected and criticised shortcomings in accommodation and hygiene. The Defence Ministry does not cite structural deficiencies, but identifies site and environmental factors as plausible causes. Meanwhile, the ordered treatments, cleaning and inspections are under way at the Comandancia General de Ceuta; military medical services are recording new suspected cases and arranging care under the joint protocol.
The Ministry has so far provided no further details about the source of infection or how long the measures will last. Sources in the soldiers’ associations say the official confirmation has improved the information available, but they are calling for ongoing updates on the situation and any implications for accommodation and prevention. For now, the authorities are focusing on dealing with the existing cases and preventing the outbreak from spreading within the accommodation.
Editor: Clara Simonichek (Article created with AI assistance).