Spain's Ministry of Defence has confirmed 24 soldiers contracted scabies at the General Command of Ceuta, the North African enclave, dismissing any link to a recent surge in migrant arrivals. Two of the infections predated the migrant influx, the ministry said.
Affected personnel from the 54th Regulars Group were housed on 15 August in the disused K-8 Coastal Battery, a facility lacking mandatory hygiene maintenance and with a history of similar infestations, according to the Armed Forces Troop Union (UMT). The union alleged troops lacked officially issued protective equipment and has submitted formal questions to the defence ministry and armed forces personnel council.
The Army General Headquarters stated all affected soldiers are receiving treatment recommended by health authorities, and the Ceuta command's health directorate has established a prevention protocol. The Spanish Troop and Navy Association had previously sought information on contagious disease risks among deployed personnel.