CEUTA, Spain – Approximately ten military personnel from the contingent deployed to Ceuta to support security forces have contracted scabies, Defence Ministry sources confirmed to Efe, though they noted that the cases are not necessarily linked to the migration crisis. The Association of Spanish Troops and Sailors had already warned in a statement about the possible appearance of cases of contagious diseases, probably scabies, among military personnel deployed in the autonomous city, requesting precise information from the Ministry of Defence on the matter.
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According to information received by the association, some military personnel had expressed concern about the potential presence of this infectious disease, raising questions about whether cases were isolated or linked and whether epidemiological surveillance protocols had been activated. The association considers it essential to clarify the situation and has requested that the Ministry of Defence confirm whether cases of scabies or other infectious diseases have occurred among deployed personnel, along with the number of cases and whether they have any epidemiological link, as well as data on the units where they were detected and whether any contact-tracing or health surveillance protocols have been activated.
According to the association, in a deployment that has been ongoing since the mass entry of irregular migrants into the autonomous city, health transparency is essential to avoid rumours and ensure the peace of mind of personnel. The association insists that the protection of military personnel requires rigorous health communication, allowing for rapid action and preventing unnecessary concerns in a prolonged and operationally demanding deployment such as the one in Ceuta.
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The scabies cases add to the growing challenges facing military and security forces in Ceuta, where authorities have been working to manage the increased migration pressure since late July while maintaining public health standards in confined and high-density environments. Defence officials have not confirmed whether additional cases have been detected but have indicated that health monitoring protocols remain active and that affected personnel are receiving appropriate treatment. The situation highlights the broader health and logistical complexities of the ongoing response to the migration crisis in the Spanish enclave.
