Guernsey : Alert following rise in scarlet fever cases

Thanks to ProMed Mail for this update :

" Health officials in Guernsey are reporting a rise in cases of scarlet fever, an illness that normally affects children.

There have been 5 cases recently and doctors and school nurses are on alert. So far there has been no explanation for the outbreak. Once a common killer, the illness is now easily treatable with antibiotics. It is caused by streptococcal bacteria and is typically seen as a rash and a sore throat.

The highly contagious disease is passed on through saliva and by an infected person coughing or sneezing nearby."