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Scabies Scare: Falmouth nursing facility infested with scabies

An outbreak of scabies at a skilled nursing facility in Falmouth is infecting not only patients, but members of the staff. The outbreak of scabies started in October and now local health and regulatory officials are involved.

FALMOUTH (NEWS CENTER Maine)-- An outbreak of scabies at a skilled nursing facility in Falmouth is infecting not only patients, but members of the staff.

Sedgewood Commons is home to more than 90 people living with Alzheimer's disease and other forms of Dementia.

The outbreak of scabies started in October and now local health and regulatory officials are involved.

In a statement to News Center Maine Lori Mayer a spokesperson for Sedgewood Commons confirmed the scabies outbreak saying "The health and safety of our residents is always our primary concern at Sedgewood Commons. We have been in touch with families, both verbally and written, many times regarding the outbreak and the precautions we are taking to limit its spread. We are also working with local health and regulatory officials. At this time, all residents and staff members continue to be treated with the appropriate medication and we continue to engage in widespread cleaning of the building."

We spoke with Corey Bourque. His father is a resident of the facility and now also has scabies.

He says his family wasn't told there was a problem until a nurse spoke up weeks after the outbreak started. "She felt it was her responsibility and ultimately told families that the staff was experiencing symptoms as well as patients in the facility."

Bourque says he's understands outbreaks in facilities like this are sometimes inevitable, it's the deception that upsets him the most. "I don't think this was a mistake I think it was i'm trying to mitigate it and hope it wouldn't spread but unfortunately it went wrong."

Bourque and his family are now getting status updates from Sedgewood Commons, but he feels that's only because the facility is now working with state officials.

He says either way he hopes this widespread infestation is stopped soon. Bourque says he has little kids who want to see their grandfather. "I don't feel like patient safety ws the utmost concern of the administration. It's never wracking and I have to sit here and wonder if he's ok."

The Centers for Disease Control Spokesperson Emily Spencer says their Division of Licensing Department is aware of the situation and has investigated. She says they are currently awaiting a plan of correction from the facility.

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