Scabies outbreak as asylum seekers housed in old RAF base told to isolate

18 November 2023 , 19:28

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The Home Office confirmed a case of scabies at Wethersfield in July (Image: Getty Images)

Asylum seekers housed in a disused RAF base have scabies, according to campaigners against the site.

Lesley Groves claims four men showed her their rashes during a protest at Wethersfield, Essex. She said: “The camp is riddled with scabies. The asylum seeker I spoke to said he and the others were told they had scabies by the medical centre on the camp.

“He said he picked up the rash in the camp. He had rashes all over his side, over his belly and his back. The other guys also had rashes all over their bodies. He told me there are others with rashes. It will spread even further. Scabies is quite contagious. These guys were in cabins, which have five to a room. As there are so many people in rooms, it’s spreading.”

An asylum seeker showing a rash

Ms Groves said it was being suggested that asylum seekers should stay in an isolation block, adding: “They are being advised to isolate, but they cannot enforce it. During the protest all these guys were out there so they're not segregating and isolating them properly."

The Home Office confirmed a case of scabies at Wethersfield in July. Ms Groves also claimed migrants are not checked properly at Manston detention centre and only have a screening when they arrive at Wethersfield. Scabies is a common, highly infectious condition caused by tiny mites that burrow into the skin.

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A Home Office spokesperson said: “The welfare of individuals at the site is of the utmost priority. All appropriate protocols are being followed in accordance with UK Health Security Agency guidance to manage the health of asylum seekers at Wethersfield, including medical care and isolation where appropriate. There is assessed to be no risk to the local community. Accommodation offered to asylum seekers, on a no choice basis, meets our legal and contractual requirements.”

Matthew Dresch