Country police officers in Perth for CHOGM hit by suspected 'scabies' outbreak at hotel

HEALTH authorities are investigating a suspected scabies outbreak at a Rivervale hotel, where country police officers are staying during the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting. 
 
Officials were alerted to the suspected contamination yesterday after a Northam policewoman presented with a rash.

She was sent home to recover, amid fears she may infect other police officers and guests at the hotel.

It is understood one other officer presented with what appeared to be bite marks and sought medical attention.
Scabies is a contagious skin infection, usually caused by a tiny parasite which burrows under the skin to cause intense itching.

The disease is most often transmitted by direct skin-to-skin contact.

Environmental scanning teams were called to the Great Eastern Highway hotel yesterday morning to assess the scene and determine if more officers were at risk.  More Read