Defense 'hides' a scabies outbreak among the military deployed by the DANA

The military personnel from Valencia deployed due to the DANA are beginning to suffer the consequences. This has been confirmed by the Spanish Troop and Navy Association, which claims there is a scabies outbreak affecting military personnel.

From the Association, they assert that:

"Once again, and it's not few times, Defense doesn't report cases of such severity and magnitude as several scabies infections. An extremely contagious disease, in Armed Forces military personnel, seemingly wanting it to go unnoticed and not come to light."

Thus, the association reports that several members have indicated they contracted scabies during mid and late January, in different rotations in the DANA. "They were treated by military healthcare in Valencia, without being diagnosed at any time with this disease, the association details. Upon returning from the deployments and noticing itching, they went to their civilian doctors, who diagnosed them with the disease."

It adds: "The severity of the facts, as they were between 4 and 7 days without diagnosis. In contact with colleagues, family members, and civilian personnel, makes ATME wonder how health protocols can fail in this type of operation. Where there is contact with decaying or infected animals, mites, and clothing that could be infected."

In addition to this, the Association recalls that Margarita Robles recently stated in an official appearance that there were intoxicated military personnel. Also injured in the first days of the deployment:

"The Ministry replied to the associations' requests for information by arguing that, being a military operation, they weren't obliged to inform them."

Therefore, the ATME association assures that it will raise a series of questions to the Ministry of Defense. Similarly to the deputies of the Defense Commission related to the alleged appearance of a scabies outbreak.

Robles overlooks complaints about the conditions of the military personnel in Valencia

ASFASPRO denounces that the military personnel deployed in Valencia after the DANA live in undignified conditions, without attention from Defense. The personnel sleep in tents and canvas bunks, while other security forces enjoy better conditions.

"If the Civil Guard goes to a hotel, we want to go too," said Antonio Seoane, a board member of ASFASPRO.

The association claims that meals arrive cold, a situation it considers unacceptable in a prolonged deployment of 75 days.

"The military are used to going anywhere and in any way, but this is unacceptable," added Seoane.

According to ASFASPRO, the operation began in the midst of the emergency, but after more than two months, there have been no improvements in their conditions. The Ministry of Defense has ignored ASFASPRO's requests to address working conditions in the Personnel Council.

Defense relies on the fact that military operations aren't subject to the Law of Rights and Duties, refusing to discuss the issue. ASFASPRO insists that it doesn't seek controversies, only clear information to avoid similar problems in future operations.

"We don't want to talk about the operation, we want the living and working conditions of our military personnel to be clarified," emphasized Seoane.

The Minister of Defense, Margarita Robles, has avoided directly addressing these complaints, which has caused discontent in the group.

In a recent visit to Valencia, Robles didn't mention the conditions of the personnel deployed in the tasks after the DANA.