Border agent contracts scabies after contact with illegals

In a letter to the chief patrol agent of San Diego’s U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Zermeno said border patrol agents processing the undocumented immigrants were told that those arriving in California had been pre-screened for health conditions. Agents in California, however, were not advised to decontaminate themselves or their uniforms, he added. “This demonstrates that we are not properly trained to identify infectious disease and to properly respond when we suspect a disease,” Zermeno said. Agents are “encouraged to use personal protective gear including latex or non-latex gloves, long-sleeve shirts, and to take precaution, including frequent hand washing,” U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials said in a statement without commenting on the specific case.