UPDATE: Feb. 20, 2026 1:37 p.m.
There have been no additional cases of scabies at Airway Heights Corrections Center, according to the prison’s communications director Chris Wright.
Wright also said the 19 people diagnosed with scabies in the original outbreak have received treatment and appear to be doing well.
The cause of the outbreak is still unknown, but mitigation strategies remain the same, Wright said.
AIRWAY HEIGHTS, Wash. – An outbreak of scabies has been identified at the Airway Heights Corrections Center, affecting 19 incarcerated individuals throughout the facility.
According to Christopher Wright, Communications Director with Washington State Department of Corrections (DOC), the outbreak was identified during the week of January 19.
Medical staff conducted symptom checks in the affected units to identify potential cases and educate the population about scabies. All diagnosed patients received treatment, Wright said.
The DOC said a memo and a scabies one-pager from the CDC was sent to all incarcerated individuals at Airway Heights. The information detailed the outbreak, risk of exposure, symptoms of scabies and offered treatment to all individuals in the affected units.
The DOC also said it provided replacement linens and clothes for all individuals in the affected units on the same day treatment was offered. Wright said treatment were given to the people with diagnosed cases and consists of two weeks of repeating doses.
Mattresses and hard surfaces were cleaned on the same day treatment was offered, Wright added.
The outbreak did not cause any major disruption to prison operations and did not impact visiting hours, Wright said. He added that the outbreak is not likely to impact the surrounding community because scabies is usually transmitted through direct and prolonged skin-to-skin contact.
The cause of the outbreak is still under investigation.
No staff members were diagnosed with scabies, although staff members received a memo about the infestation after it was identified to educate them and inform them how to report and manage a case, Wright said.
Scabies is a contagious skin infestation caused by the microscopic mites. The mite responsible for scabies burrows into the skin, leading to intense itching and a pimple-like rash. It spreads primarily through direct, prolonged skin-to-skin contact.
Article originally published Feb. 9, 2026 3:24 p.m.
