Staff and patients at five NHS Lothian facilities are being treated for an outbreak of scabies.
NHS Lothian has issued medication and advice on how to prevent the skin condition spreading further at sites which include Edinburgh Royal Infirmary and Ferryfield House Community Hospital off Pilton Drive.
The outbreak was discovered two weeks ago on Thursday 16 August.
Scabies, an infestation of tiny mites in the skin, is contagious and is transferred between people.
NHS Lothian confirmed the outbreak involves Roodlands Hospital in Haddington, Ferryfield House community hospital, medical emergency response incident teams (MERIT) and Midlothian Care in the Community.
Dr Duncan McCormick, NHS Lothian public health consultant, said: “We are treating and monitoring clusters of cases of a very common and infectious skin condition, called scabies, in five sites in Lothian, including the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh and Roodlands Hospital.
“Scabies can affect anyone, but is more common in the young and the elderly of those with low immune systems and is spread by normal human contact.
“Staff and patients have been issued with treatment and advice to prevent the infection, which does not present a serious health risk, from spreading.
“Robust infection prevention and control measures have been enhanced and the situation is being monitored very closely.”
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