One case of scabies at St Paul's Bay school

In a statement released to the press, the government has denied media reports that there are 24 cases of scabies in a school in St Paul's Bay. 

It said that there is only one case currently and that all necessary precautions have been taken. 

Scabies is a contagious skin infection caused by the Sarcoptes scabiei mite. The mite is a tiny, and usually not directly visible, parasite that burrows under the host's skin, which in most people causes an intense itching sensation caused by an allergic response.

The disease may be transmitted from objects, but is most often transmitted by direct skin-to-skin contact, and is one of the most common skin infections in children.