LANSING – There's a breakthrough in the case of the mysterious rash at Michigan's only women's prison as 24 women there have been diagnosed with scabies — an ailment prison officials had previously ruled out.

Notices have been posted at Women's Huron Valley Correctional Facility warning prisoners, staff and visitors of the outbreak and an epidemiologist has been called in, as the number of women diagnosed with scabies is expected to grow, Michigan Department of Corrections spokesman Chris Gautz said Friday.

Scabies is a skin infestation caused by a microscopic mite. If not properly treated, the mites can live on skin for months, burrow, and lay eggs, causing an itchy red rash. Scabies can be easily treated with topical lotions and/or pills such as Ivermectin.

"We're very pleased that we have been able to make this diagnosis," Gautz said. "We know how to treat that."

Gautz said prison officials still don't believe scabies is the cause of all the rashes that have afflicted women at the prison near Ypsilanti for more than a year, with the number gradually growing from 50 cases in one unit to about 200 cases in eight of the 15 units.

But the diagnosis could be a significant breakthrough, he said.

Early on in the rash problem, during the winter of 2018, women were treated for suspected scabies and isolated, with their clothing and bed linens replaced, Gautz said. But skin tests ultimately came back negative for scabies and the medications were largely ineffective.

Since then, a second dermatologist was sent skin samples and said they too tested negatively for scabies, he said.

But a third dermatologist was recently brought in and had confirmed scabies in 24 women as of Friday, with testing continuing, Gautz said.

More:Itchy rash spreads at women's prison in Mich.; officials blame inmates

More:Inmate at Mich. women's prison can sue over 'sexual predator' cellmate

Scabies can be contagious — something prison officials have insisted the rash was not.

Tests for scabies can be inconclusive depending on the stage of the mite infection at the time the test is conducted, Gautz said. Other women might carry the infection but not display symptoms themselves, he said.

"We are bringing in another dermatologist to provide a second opinion of the scabies diagnosis and we are hiring an epidemiologist to assist us with a treatment plan for the wider issue you have reported on previously," Gautz said.

Lou Coomans of Empire, whose wife is in the prison suffering from a rash, said the situation has gone "beyond confusion" to inhumane treatment.

"It's extremely frustrating," Coomans said. "These women have had this rash for a long time now. It's 24-7 itching, scratching, and lumps that get infected."

Coomans doesn't believe scabies is the root of the problem and wants the prison to conduct blood tests and allergy tests. "It seems like it's an environmental issue," he said.

The prison has had a history of problems with overcrowding and leaky roofs.

Contact Paul Egan: 517-372-8660 or pegan@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @paulegan4.