Hong Kong: 2012 Scarlet fever cases

[Shiloh]

Link to 2011 thread; http://www.flutrackers.com/forum/sho...d.php?t=168949


Source: http://www.thestandard.com.hk/news_d...395&con_type=1

Scarlet fever kills teen girl
Mary Ann Benitez
Friday, January 20, 2012

A 14-year-old girl has died from scarlet fever, while an 11-year-old boy is in a serious condition.

The girl had a fever on and off since January 6, along with cough, runny nose and rash, according to the Centre for Health Protection.

She was taken five times to three different private clinics between January 6 and 17.

Her condition failed to improve, and she was admitted on Wednesday to the intensive care unit at Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital in Chai Wan with septic shock, pneumonia and excessive fluid buildup in her lungs.

Her condition worsened, and she died later in the day.

The girl last attended class on Monday at St Paul's Secondary School.

The center said there have been no reports of an outbreak of respiratory illness at the Happy Valley school, but it was advised to suspend classes today for cleansing and disinfection.

The girl had visited Macau on January 7 and 8.

In the boy's case, he had a cough and runny nose since January 8, developed a fever five days later, and was admitted to a private hospital on Sunday.

He was transferred on Tuesday to the pediatric intensive care unit at Pamela Youde Hospital, where he remains in a stable condition.

"We are quite concerned about [the scarlet fever] occurrences because we have two cases within a short time, and also because these two patients are older," said Thomas Tsang Ho-fai, controller of the health protection center. Most of the patients in the past were children aged below 10...

[Shiloh]

Re: Hong Kong: 2012 Scarlet fever cases- Girl died

Source: http://7thspace.com/headlines/404092...stigation.html

wo cases of scarlet fever complicated with toxic shock syndrome under investigation


Hong Kong (HKSAR) - The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is investigating two cases of scarlet fever complicated with toxic shock syndrome.

The first one is a fatal case involving a 14-year-old girl with good past health. She presented with on and off low-grade fever since January6, associated with cough, runny nose and malaise.

The girl sought medical consultation from three different private clinics for five times from January 6 to 17.

Her condition did not improve and she developed rapid breathing since January 17 and attended the Accident and Emergency Department of Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital early next morning. She was admitted to Paediatric Intensive Care Unit with septic shock, pneumonia and pleural effusion.Her condition deteriorated and she passed away later in the same day.

Her pleural aspirate specimen tested positive for streptococcus pyogenes (Group A).

The girl lived with her parents and a younger brother in Eastern District.Her mother and younger brother had recent upper respiratory infection symptoms.Swabs will be taken from them for further tests.

The girl used to study at a secondary school in Happy Valley and last attended school on January 16.There has been no report of outbreak of respiratory illness in the school.

As a precautionary measure, the school is advised to suspend class tomorrow for thorough cleansing and disinfection.She did not travel outside Hong Kong before onset of symptoms. But she travelled to Macau from January 7 - 8.

The second case involves an 11-year-old boy with good past health.

He presented with cough and runny nose since January 8 and developed fever since January 13.

He was admitted to a private hospital on January 15. Group A streptococcus was isolated from his blood specimen.

He was transferred to Paediatric Intensive Care Unit of Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital on January 17.On the same day, he also developed generalised sandpaper-like skin rash.

He is now in stable condition.

He is studying in a primary school in Wan Chai District.He last attended school on January 13. The school will start holiday tomorrow and as a precautionary measure, the school is advised to carry out thorough cleansing and disinfection.

The CHP's investigation revealed that the patient has no recent travel history. His home contacts are asymptomatic.

CHP's investigation into the above two cases continues.

A CHP spokesman explained that scarlet fever is caused by Group A Streptococcus bacteria and can be cured by appropriate antibiotics.

The disease usually affects children between two to eight years of age and presents as fever, sore throat and rash. The rash appears over the trunk and neck and spreads to the limbs especially the armpits, elbows and groin. The illness is usually clinically mild but can be complicated by shock, heart and kidney diseases.



"Scarlet fever is transmitted through either the respiratory route or direct contact with infected respiratory secretions," he said.

People who are suspected to have scarlet fever should consult their doctors.

To prevent infection, members of the public are advised to:

* maintain good personal and environmental hygiene;
* keep hands clean and wash hands properly;
* wash hands when they are dirtied by respiratory secretions, e.g.

after sneezing;
* cover nose and mouth while sneezing or coughing and dispose of nasal and mouth discharge properly; and
* maintain good ventilation.


Source: HKSAR Government

[Shiloh]

Re: Hong Kong: 2012 Scarlet fever cases- Girl died

Source: http://7thspace.com/headlines/404182...nfections.html

Vigilance urged against prevalent winter infections

Hong Kong (HKSAR) - The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (January 20) called on the public to stay vigilant in protecting themselves against a number of prevalent infections this winter...

...Scarlet fever activity is also expected to rise during the winter, in accordance with historical trends and the recent regional pattern. Between January 1 and 19, a total of 83 scarlet fever cases were reported to the CHP, including a recent fatal case involving a 14-year-old girl...

...Regarding chickenpox and norovirus infections, a higher number of outbreaks have been observed compared with winter seasons in previous years...

[Shiloh]

Re: Hong Kong: 2012 Scarlet fever cases

Source: http://7thspace.com/headlines/406183...estigated.html

Suspected case of paediatric scarlet fever investigated
Published on: 2012-02-20

Hong Kong (HKSAR) - The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (February 20) investigating a suspected case of scarlet fever complicated with toxic shock syndrome involving an 8-year-old boy.

The boy, with good past health, presented with fever and a sore throat on February 14. He developed a skin rash over the neck since February 16 and sought medical consultation from a general practitioner on February 15, 17 and 18. He was referred to the Accident and Emergency Department of Kwong Wah Hospital on February 18 and was admitted to the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit for further management on the same day.

Pneumonia and shock was noted on his admission. The preliminary result of his blood culture taken on admission yielded gram positive cocci. His nasopharyngeal specimen was tested positive for influenza B.

His current condition is critical...

[Shiloh]

Re: Hong Kong: 2012 Scarlet fever cases

Source: http://7thspace.com/headlines/407188...estigated.html

Suspected case of severe paediatric scarlet fever investigated
Published on: 2012-03-05

Hong Kong (HKSAR) - The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (March 5) investigating a suspected case of severe paediatric scarlet fever involving an 11-year-old girl.

The girl, with good past health, presented with fever, cough, sputum, runny nose, sore throat and vomiting on February 28 and sought medical consultation from a general practitioner on the same day. She developed skin rash on March 2 and was admitted to Princess Margaret Hospital on the same day. Physical examination by her attending physician showed sandpaper rash and strawberry tongue.

She developed shock the next day and was transferred to the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit. She is currently in a serious condition. Her blood and throat swab culture results are pending.

The CHP's investigation revealed that the girl did not have a recent travel history. Her family members are asymptomatic.

Investigation continues...

[Shiloh]

Re: Hong Kong: 2012 Scarlet fever cases

Source: http://7thspace.com/headlines/407922...estigated.html

Case of severe scarlet fever investigated

Hong Kong (HKSAR) - The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (March 14) investigating a case of severe scarlet fever involving a 17-year-old male.

The patient, with good past health, presented with fever on March 3 and developed generalised rash, vomiting and abdominal pain the next day. He was then admitted to the Intensive Care Unit of Hong Kong Baptist Hospital due to pneumonia with septic shock and renal impairment. His condition was stabilised after treatment and he was discharged yesterday.

His sputum grew Group A Streptococcus.

The CHP's investigation revealed that he did not have a recent travel history. His family members are asymptomatic.

The investigation is continuing...

...Source: HKSAR Government
Published on: 2012-03-14

[Shiloh]

Re: Hong Kong: 2012 Scarlet fever cases

Source: http://7thspace.com/headlines/409161...estigated.html

Suspected case of scarlet fever investigated
Published on: 2012-03-29

Hong Kong (HKSAR) - The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (March 29) investigating a suspected case of scarlet fever involving a 12-year-old boy.

The patient, a Thai tourist, has presented with fever, skin rash and strawberry tongue since March 22. He was admitted to Princess Margaret Hospital on March 27. The diagnosis was scarlet fever.

The patient was transferred to the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit the next day because of hypotension. His current condition is stable.

Throat swab and blood samples were taken from the boy and results are pending.

The boy lived in Thailand and travelled to Hong Kong on March 21.

He travelled with his parents and both were asymptomatic.

The investigation is continuing...