UK: 2016 Scarlet Fever

[Shiloh]

Source: http://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/37-c...ail/story.html


37 cases of scarlet fever in the South West in the last week
By Plymouth Herald | Posted: February 27, 2016

37 cases of scarlet fever were reported in the South West last week, according to Public Health England.

Parents are urged to be on the lookout for symptoms after new cases of scarlet fever were recorded.

The warning is to try to stem the rise in cases of the illness - to catch it ahead of a peak in infections, which happen in March and April, as it is extremely contagious...

[Pathfinder]

Sharp increase of scarlet fever reported in South Wales

By Carmarthen Journal | Posted: March 06, 2016

DOCTORS have seen a sharp increase in cases of scarlet fever in Wales, it has been reported.

Cases are more than a third up on expected levels according to figures for south Wales for February.

They show there were 121 suspected cases of the disease reported to public health officials in the four weeks to February 28 ? a 14.2 per cent increase on the 106 cases in the same period in 2015.

But in South Wales the increase is far bigger - at 34.5 per cent.
...

http://www.carmarthenjournal.co.uk/Sharp-increase-scarlet-fever-reported-South-Wales/story-28869356-detail/story.html

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WARNING: Signs of scarlet fever could actually be signs of meningitis, parents told

By Western Daily Press | Posted: March 10, 2016
...
Parents have been urged to be vigilant after an outbreak of scarlet fever - because the symptoms could actually be a sign of fatal meningitis.

In just four weeks, 33 suspected cases of scarlet fever were recorded by authorities in one county - 43.5 per cent higher than the same period last year.

The highly contagious disease has affected boroughs all over Surrey - within one, Reigate and Banstead, being hit particularly hard with 11 cases.

The illness, which mainly affects children, is characterised by a pink-red sandpapery rash, but rarely leads to further problems if treated correctly.

However, Dr Ivan Ratnayake of the Ashley Centre Surgery in Epsom, Surrey, said parents who spot the rash-like symptoms should not just dismiss them as scarlet fever.

The same symptoms could also be a sign of potentially-fatal bacterial meningitis, which carries a ten per cent chance of death.

Dr Ratnayake said: "The rash seen with scarlet fever can mimic that of meningitis - and it's hard to diagnose over the phone.

"I would always encourage parents, if they spot the symptoms, to get their child seen by a doctor.
...

http://www.westerndailypress.co.uk/WARNING-Signs-scarlet-fever-actually-signs/story-28898309-detail/story.html

[Pathfinder]

Increase in scarlet fever across England



From: Public Health England First published: 11 March 2016

PHE's latest data shows steep increases in scarlet fever notifications across England, as part of the peak season.






Public Health England (PHE) has reported steep increases in scarlet fever notifications across England, with a total of 6157 new cases since the season began in September 2015. This is the third season in a row where the incidence of scarlet has shown a marked elevation.
Around 600 cases are being notified each week at present with further increases expected as we reach the peak season, which typically occurs between late March and mid April.
All parts of the country have been affected by the increased numbers of scarlet fever cases seen over the past 3 years. Notifications of more severe infection caused by the same bacterium (group A streptococcus) are also showing a slight increase in incidence in recent weeks and will be monitored closely as the season progresses.
As a result of these increases, PHE is alerting health practitioners so they can be mindful of this when assessing patients. Close monitoring, rapid and decisive response to potential outbreaks and early treatment of scarlet fever with an appropriate antibiotic remains essential, especially given the potential complications associated with group A streptococcal infections.
Scarlet fever is an infectious disease spread through close contact with individuals carrying the organism (often in the throat) or indirect contact with objects and surfaces contaminated with the bacterium causing scarlet fever. Typically there are seasonal rises in scarlet fever between December and April each year.
In 2014, unusually high numbers of scarlet fever cases were noted, the highest since 1969, which persisted into the following year?s season and then into the current season. The reasons behind this increase are unclear but may reflect the long-term natural cycles in disease incidence seen in many types of infection. Assessment of bacteria obtained from patients has excluded the possibility of a newly emerging strain of group A streptococcus with increased ability to spread between patients causing the increase in disease incidence.
Dr Theresa Lamagni, PHE?s head of streptococcal infection surveillance, said:

Parents can play a key role in recognising when their child needs to be seen by their GP.
Early signs to look out for are sore throat, headache and fever with the characteristic pinkish/red sandpapery rash appearing within a day or two, typically on the chest and stomach but then spreading to other parts of the body. Individuals who think they or their child may have scarlet fever should seek advice from their GP without delay as prompt antibiotic treatment is needed.
Symptoms usually clear up after a week and the majority of cases will resolve without complication as long as the recommended course of antibiotics is completed. Potential complications include include ear infection, throat abscess and pneumonia. Patients who do not show signs of improvement within a few days of starting treatment should seek urgent medical advice.
As scarlet fever is highly contagious, children or adults diagnosed with scarlet fever are advised to stay off school or work until at least 24 hours after the start of antibiotic treatment to avoid passing on the infection.
Where outbreaks occur, PHE local Health Protection Teams (HPTs) are on hand to provide a rapid response, effective outbreak management and authoritative advice. Schools, nurseries and childcare settings should embed good hand hygiene practice within daily routines for pupils and staff and alert their local PHE HPT if an outbreak of scarlet fever is suspected. Children and adults should be encouraged to cover their mouth and nose with a tissue when they cough and sneeze and to wash their hands after using or disposing of tissues.

Scarlet fever is mainly a childhood disease and is most common between the ages of two and eight years. It was once a very dangerous infection, but has now become much less serious. Antibiotic treatment should be given to minimise the risk of complications. There is currently no vaccine for scarlet fever.
See the latest health protection report and information on scarlet fever from PHE.
For further information for on scarlet fever visit the NHS Choices website.
Guidelines for the management of close community contacts of invasiveGAS cases and the prevention and control of GAS transmission in acute healthcare and maternity settings are also available from the PHE website.

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/increase-in-scarlet-fever-across-england

[Shiloh]

Source: http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news...ngham-11186938

Scarlet fever cases TRIPLE in Birmingham as fears of outbreak grow
06:30, 15 Apr 2016
By Anuji Varma
Solihull has also seen numbers of victims of the childhood illness rocket

The number of children suffering from scarlet fever has TRIPLED in Birmingham, while cases in Solihull are also rocketing.

The shock new figures add to fears of an outbreak of the childhood disease across the UK after a huge increase in young victims.

Symptoms of the highly contagious disease include a pink-red sandpaper-like rash, but it rarely leads to further problems if treated quickly and correctly.

Cases in Birmingham jumped from 16 in the four weeks till March 27 last year to 49 for the same period this March.

Solihull saw the number of cases rocket from one to 17 during the same period.

Dudley had the highest number of sufferers in the West Midlands region, reporting 53 cases, although that was down from 86 in March 2015.

The huge increase in Birmingham comes after Public Health England warned parents the childhood illness was on the rise...

[Shiloh]

Source: http://www.nottinghampost.com/New-ou...ail/story.html

New outbreak of scarlet fever at Nottinghamshire school
By DanRussell | Posted: April 29, 2016
St Peter's Primary School in East Bridgford has written to all parents to tell them a pupil has contracted the infectious disease.


A new outbreak of scarlet fever at a Nottinghamshire school has been reported.

St Peter's Primary School in East Bridgford has written to all parents to tell them a pupil has contracted the infectious disease.

The school in Kneeton Road has also distributed information about the condition to parents...