Scabies Case Confirmed At Atlanta School, Says Health Officials

ATLANTA, GA — Parents at KIPP STRIVE Academy were notified says the Atlanta Journal Constitution after health officials confirmed a case of scabies at the Atlanta charter school. One student contracted the skin condition and four others are now showing symptoms.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, a microscopic mite causes a skin infestation, which is known as scabies. The microscopic scabies mite burrows into the upper layer of the skin where it lives and lays its eggs. The most common symptoms of scabies are intense itching and a pimple-like skin rash. It’s spread by direct, prolonged, skin-to-skin contact with a person who has scabies.

It can take up to eight weeks for symptoms to show, according to the CDC.

The school system’s managing director shared a statement with WSB-TV that reads, in part:

“Last week, we received confirmation that one student at KIPP STRIVE Primary School was diagnosed with scabies. Out of an abundance of caution, the school leader contacted all parents about the confirmed case and shared information from the Georgia Department of Public Health about the disease.”

School administrators will have a representative from the Georgia Department of Public Health visit the school on Monday to share information and answer any questions about scabies.