Giuseppe
Emeritus
[Source: Centre for Health Protection, Hong Kong PRC SAR, full text: (LINK).]
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Local scarlet fever activity remains stable after school resumption
28 September 2011
According to the latest surveillance data from the Centre for Health Protection (CHP), there has been no significant increase in scarlet fever activity since the resumption of school on September 1, a spokesman for the Department of Health said today (September 28).
"Local scarlet fever activity has declined by about 80 per cent from the peak level in late June and has remained stable recently," the spokesman said.
As of September 28 this year, a total of 1,172 cases of scarlet fever had been reported, including two deaths reported in May and June.
To enhance monitoring of severe scarlet fever cases in the community during the peak period, the CHP has set up an enhanced surveillance mechanism with public and private hospitals for intensive care unit admissions or deaths associated with scarlet fever and Group A Streptococcus infection since June 24.
As of September 28, 14 cases had been reported to the CHP under this mechanism.
Among them, eight were adults and six were children who were 12 years old or younger. Four of them presented with scarlet fever. No additional cases of death associated with scarlet fever cases had been recorded.
The spokesman said that after reviewing the prevailing situation, the enhanced surveillance mechanism and the daily situation update on scarlet fever on the CHP website will be discontinued on October 1.
The CHP will publish updates on scarlet fever in its biweekly online Communicable Diseases Watch and continue to closely monitor the local situation of scarlet fever.
"Although the peak period for scarlet fever has passed, looking ahead, some 50 cases are still expected to be reported every week, especially among children. The public should therefore continue to maintain vigilance in preventing this infection."
-28 September 2011
According to the latest surveillance data from the Centre for Health Protection (CHP), there has been no significant increase in scarlet fever activity since the resumption of school on September 1, a spokesman for the Department of Health said today (September 28).
"Local scarlet fever activity has declined by about 80 per cent from the peak level in late June and has remained stable recently," the spokesman said.
As of September 28 this year, a total of 1,172 cases of scarlet fever had been reported, including two deaths reported in May and June.
To enhance monitoring of severe scarlet fever cases in the community during the peak period, the CHP has set up an enhanced surveillance mechanism with public and private hospitals for intensive care unit admissions or deaths associated with scarlet fever and Group A Streptococcus infection since June 24.
As of September 28, 14 cases had been reported to the CHP under this mechanism.
Among them, eight were adults and six were children who were 12 years old or younger. Four of them presented with scarlet fever. No additional cases of death associated with scarlet fever cases had been recorded.
The spokesman said that after reviewing the prevailing situation, the enhanced surveillance mechanism and the daily situation update on scarlet fever on the CHP website will be discontinued on October 1.
The CHP will publish updates on scarlet fever in its biweekly online Communicable Diseases Watch and continue to closely monitor the local situation of scarlet fever.
"Although the peak period for scarlet fever has passed, looking ahead, some 50 cases are still expected to be reported every week, especially among children. The public should therefore continue to maintain vigilance in preventing this infection."
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