VTA takes 12 buses out of service after 4 drivers get scabies

People wait to board the No. 22 VTA bus at about 1:20 a.m. morning, October 25. People wait to board the No. 22 VTA bus at about 1:20 a.m. morning, October 25. Image 1 of / 25 Caption Close VTA takes 12 buses out of service after 4 drivers get scabies 1 / 25 Back to Gallery

The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority has taken 12 buses out of service after four drivers were infected with scabies.

The VTA first became aware of the problem Saturday, when the first driver affected reported the skin irritation. Three other employees have since suffered the same issue.

Scabies is caused by a parasite called the human itch mite, according to the Center for Disease Control. "The microscopic scabies mite burrows into the upper layer of the skin where it lives and lays its eggs. The most common symptoms of scabies are intense itching and a pimple-like skin rash," explains the CDC.

"Based on the operators shifts, we were able to assess that about one dozen buses should be taken out of service and receive extra cleaning for precautionary measures," said VTA spokesperson Brandi Childress.

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The pulled buses were operating on lines 22, 522, 55 and 88 out of the North Yard Division in Mountain View.

"There is no need for chemical treatment, but the upholstered seats will be vacuumed, steam cleaned, and hard surface areas will be wiped down with diluted bleach. Employee common areas at our North Yard Division are also being treated."

Scabies is most commonly spread through prolonged skin-to-skin contact, and Childress says it's unlikely someone would contract it by sitting on a bus or simply being near an affected driver. Regardless, VTA has hired an exterminator to do a deep cleaning of the buses as an added precaution.

Other than the four drivers, Childress says there have been no further reports of scabies or any complaints from VTA riders. The agency is looking into the source of the problem.

According to the CDC, symptoms of scabies can take 4 to 8 weeks to show up for someone who's never had an infestation before. It can be treated with a scabicide prescribed by a doctor.

Read Alix Martichoux's latest stories and send her news tips at alix.martichoux@sfgate.com.