Kona Community Hospital on the Big Island is dealing with an outbreak of scabies, a highly contagious skin condition caused by tiny burrowing mites which can result in extreme itching, rash and lesions.

The microscopic mites burrow and lay eggs in the outer layers of the skin and can live there for months if untreated.

Hospital officials confirmed scabies at the facility Nov. 19 after “a number of individuals reported that they were experiencing similar symptoms.” They would not disclose how many people have been infected by scabies, which can spread quickly from person to person through direct skin-to-skin contact. Officials also wouldn’t comment on the source of the outbreak.

The hospital said it immediately notified and treated individuals with potential exposure to scabies and has been working with the state Department of Health. There is no state requirement to notify the DOH of scabies infections.

People who contract scabies for the first time typically have no symptoms, which can take four to eight weeks to develop after infestation, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

“All staff were also notified of the situation immediately and provided with education specific to scabies infection,” said hospital spokeswoman Judy Donovan in a news release, adding that officials do not want to comment on the number of cases due to patient and employee privacy laws and the fact that it could take up to eight weeks to get an accurate count. “We are confident that our community can trust the care they will receive at our hospital.”

For more information, go to health.hawaii.gov/docd/disease_listing/scabies.