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Doctors and health officials who travelled to Kashechewan say the outbreak of acute rashes on children in that community are not a public health emergency.

Health Canada released a statement today saying doctors have determined the dramatic photos of children covered in festering scabs across their bodies are in fact suffering from either scabies or exzcema – and blame the children’s conditions on parents not bathing their children properly.

Members of the indigenous community and residents of Kashechewan say they are outraged at the insinuation they are unclean.

Residents of Kashechewan insist the local tap water is not safe to properly bathe in.

A public health emergency was declared for the community of Kashechewan earlier this year.