IPOH, April 7 — The incident that saw 22 pupils and 11 teachers from SK Bukit Pekan, Kampar breaking out in rashes was not a scabies infection, Perak’s health authorities said today.

Perak health committee chairman Datuk Dr Mah Hang Soon said the rashes that appeared on the legs and hands of the children and teachers were the result of mite bites.

"The mites were identified from animal carcasses, which were found under the school’s roof,” Dr Mah said in a text message.

Yesterday, the Kampar District Health Office posted on their Facebook page that the pupils were infected with scabies. 

Dr Mah said one block of the school, where the mites were found, had been closed for two weeks from Thursday for disinfection works.

He added the Health Department was notified of the incident about three weeks ago.

Dr Mah said the authorities will conduct periodic building inspections, including within ceilings, to prevent rat and bird infestations.

He also said the public had no need to be concerned as it was an isolated incident that was now under control.