ECTOPARASITE CONTROL F-130 FRESNO COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE
JAIL DIVISION POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
TITLE: ECTOPARASITE CONTROL NO: F-130
FILE: ECTOPARASITE CONTROL
EFFECTIVE DATE: 07-16-20 REVISED:
AUTHORITY: Sheriff M. Mims APPROVED BY: Assistant Sheriff T. Gattie
REFERENCE: California Code of Regulations, Title 15, Sections 1212, 1262, 1271,
1272 and 1280.
PURPOSE:
The purpose of this policy is to establish a procedure to ensure safe and proper handling
of contaminated clothing, bedding and linen, and to control contamination and/or spread
of vermin in the jail.
POLICY:
It is the policy of the Fresno County Sheriffs Office Jail Division to launder all clothing,
bedding and linen at least weekly, or as needed, to control contamination and/or spread
of vermin. Contaminated items will be placed in red plastic bags. Bags containing
contaminated articles will be sent to the laundry for cleaning, disinfecting, or disposal.
PROCEDURES:
I. DEFINITIONS
ECTOPARASITE— a parasite that lives on or in the skin, but not within the body.
Lice, fleas, ticks and mites are examples of ectoparasites.
OUTBREAK - an outbreak, or epidemic, occurs when there are more cases of
disease than would normally be expected in a specific time and place.
VERMIN — the term "vermin" has a variety of definitions that includes a large
array of pests and nuisance animals. For the purpose of this policy, any
reference to vermin is specific to ectoparasites.
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FRESNO COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE
JAIL DIVISION POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
TITLE: ECTOPARASITE CONTROL NO: F-130
FILE: ECTOPARASITE CONTROL
II. GENERAL GUIDELINES
A. At the time of initial intake, each inmate will be screened, by interview,
for lice, scabies (caused by mites), or other parasites prior to entering
the jail.
B. If an infestation is found or suspected to be present upon the initial
health care screening (or it is found or suspected on an inmate already
in the general population), the inmate shall be isolated until treatment is
provided.
1. Prescribed treatment shall consider all conditions (such as
pregnancy, open sores, or rashes) and shall only be ordered by a
physician, physician's assistant, or nurse practitioner.
2. Appropriate treatment and replacement of contaminated articles
shall be provided as soon as possible.
C. All persons handling contaminated clothing, blankets, sheets or towels
shall wear disposable gloves. Anyone handling contaminated articles of
a scabies case should also wear a disposable gown.
D. The inmate's laundry bag containing all contaminated articles that can
be washed (i.e., blankets, sheets, towels, jail-issued clothing and
commissary purchases (e.g., gym shorts, underwear, washcloths,
pillows)) shall be placed into a water-soluble bag, which shall then be
placed inside a red plastic bag by the inmate at the time of treatment
and clothing exchange.
1. The red bag may be delivered directly to the Laundry Room, or
placed into a "contamination bin."
2. Notify the Inmate Supplies Coordinator (or in his/her absence, the
Laundry Supervisor) via email. Indicate the location of the bag and
type of contamination.
E. Contaminated articles will be washed separately from other laundry.
Contaminated laundry should be washed in hot water (at least 130°F)
and dried on the hot cycle.
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FRESNO COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE
JAIL DIVISION POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
TITLE: ECTOPARASITE CONTROL NO: F-130
FILE: ECTOPARASITE CONTROL
III. MATTRESSES AND CELLS
It is the responsibility of the housing floor officers to ensure the following is
performed:
A. The mattress and bunk shall be wiped down with a general disinfectant
(e.g., the all-purpose cleaner found on the cleaning cart).
B. Personal items belonging to infected inmates should be laundered or
wiped down with disinfectant.
1. Personal property that may have touched the inmate's skin and
cannot be laundered or disinfected shall be placed in a plastic bag.
The bag shall be sealed and labeled with the inmate's name, Booking
and JID numbers, and the date. Personal items can be returned to
the inmate in seven (7) days.
2. Scabies patients should throw away any used lotions, creams, and
ointments due to possible contamination.
C. Cells should be thoroughly cleaned. Anyone cleaning the cell of a
scabies case should wear gloves and a disposable gown.
NOTE: Pesticide sprays and fumigation are not required for ectoparasite
infestations.
IV. OUTBREAK
A. When multiple cases present, control measures should be enacted that
include heightened surveillance for early detection of new cases. It may
be necessary to conduct a mass screening, including interviews and
visual inspection of large groups of potential inmate contacts, together
with simultaneous treatment.
B. In the event of an outbreak, the Fresno County Department of Public
Health should be consulted to review the situation on a case-by-case
basis.
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