Scabies outbreaks reported in Tenerife nursing homes, urgent inspections demanded

A family advocacy group is calling for stricter health controls and transparency in the management of the affected care facilities.

Generic image of a healthcare environment in a care facility.
IA

Generic image of a healthcare environment in a care facility.

The Canary Islands Dignified Residences Platform has requested urgent intervention following the confirmation of scabies outbreaks at two social-health centers in Tenerife.

The group has raised concerns regarding the situation at the Santa Cruz Social-Health Center and the Northern Social-Health Center, located at the Santísima Trinidad Hospital in Icod de los Vinos. According to reports, the infection has affected both residents and staff at these facilities, which are operated by a private company.
Scabies, a skin condition caused by mites, is highly contagious and causes intense itching. The platform argues that the recurrence of these incidents may be linked to poor hygiene standards, staffing shortages, and insufficient oversight by management.
Beyond the health crisis, the organization has criticized the architectural conditions of the centers, noting a lack of outdoor spaces and appropriate stimulation areas for residents. Consequently, they have submitted formal requests for intervention to the Government of the Canary Islands' departments of Social Welfare and Health, as well as the Cabildo of Tenerife and the Public Prosecutor for the Elderly.