Scarlet fever cases reach record high in England

Via Xinhua :

" Scarlet fever cases in England rose to a record weekly high, and had kept rising for around six months with a current total of more than 5,000 cases, according to Public Health England (PHE).

In a report published on Friday, PHE revealed that England had 883 new cases of scarlet fever reported from March 24 to March 30, the highest weekly total since 1982 when the record was available.

Since the season began in last September, a total of 5,012 new cases have now been reported, and a significant increase continued, according to the PHE."

Australia : Schoolboy contracts scarlet fever

Via NT News :

" A TERRITORY primary school pupil has caught scarlet fever.

The boy is being kept at home.

Education Department acting school operations head Alan Baillie said the boy's mother had contacted teachers to say her son had been diagnosed with the disease by two doctors at the GP super clinic in Palmerston during the Easter holidays.

"No other cases have been reported," he said. "The school has sent a letter home to parents as a precautionary measure."

Hong Kong : Case of severe scarlet fever investigated

Press release from Hong Kong's Centre for Health Protection :

" 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."

Hong Kong : Suspected case of severe paediatric scarlet fever investigated

Press release from Hong Kong's Centre for Health Protection :

" 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."

Hong Kong : Suspected case of paediatric scarlet fever investigated

Press release from Hong Kong's Centre for Health Protection :

" 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.

The CHP's investigation revealed that the boy did not have a recent travel history. He lives with his parents. His mother had fever and runny nose on February 10 and has recovered already.

Investigation 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 2 to 8 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."

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."

Hong Kong : Two cases of scarlet fever complicated with toxic shock syndrome under investigation

Another press release from Hong Kong's Centre for Health Protection :

" 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 January 6, 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."

Hong Kong : Suspected case of scarlet fever with toxic shock syndrome

Via Hong Kong's Centre for Health Protection :

" The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is investigating a suspected case of scarlet fever complicated with toxic shock syndrome involving a 7-year-old boy.

The boy developed skin rash since October 31 and fever since November 3. He was admitted to paediatric ward of Tsuen Wan Adventist Hospital on November 4 and was transferred to the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit of Princess Margaret Hospital today. His clinical diagnosis was scarlet fever complicated with toxic shock syndrome. He is now in stable condition.

Results of the patient's throat swab and blood culture are pending.

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

Investigation continues."

Hong Kong : Suspected case of scarlet fever with septic shock

Via Hong Kong's Centre for Health Protection :

" The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is investigating a suspected case of scarlet fever complicated with septic shock involving a 16-month-old boy.

The boy developed fever and rash on September 10 and 12 respectively. He was admitted to Princess Margaret Hospital on September 12. Low blood pressure was noted and he was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit for observation.

The child is now in a stable condition. His clinical diagnosis was scarlet fever complicated with septic shock. Results of throat swab and blood culture are pending.

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

Hong Kong : Suspected case of scarlet fever requiring ICU admission

Press release from Hong Kong's Centre for Health Protection :

" The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is investigating a suspected case of scarlet fever affecting a 4-year-old boy. The boy presented with sore throat, fever, chills and rash on September 7.

He was admitted to Prince of Wales Hospital the next day. He was noted to have low blood pressure and once required admission to the Intensive Care Unit for observation. The child is in stable condition. His clinical diagnosis was scarlet fever. Results of throat swab and blood culture are pending.

The CHP's investigation revealed that the patient has no recent travel history. His home contacts are asymptomatic. Investigation 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. T

he 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. "

Macau : Scarlet fever cases ‘dropping’

Article via Macau Daily Times :

" Macau recorded 87 cases of scarlet fever up until yesterday, a significant increase compared to the 16 cases last year, according to figures from the Health Bureau. Director of the bureau, Lei Chin Ion, assured at a press conference yesterday that the situation is under control.

“Cases are dropping and there was no significant increase after the re-opening of schools. No cases of death were reported either,” Lei said.

Scarlet fever is an illness potentially fatal among children. Hong Kong declared an outbreak in June and two children died from scarlet fever this year in the neighbouring territory.

Unlike Macau, the HKSAR has reported an increase after the new school year commenced last week.

The head of Hong Kong’s Department of Health (DP), Lam Ping Yan, told reporters there were more than 1,100 cases this year. He pledged that authorities will closely monitor the situation in schools and continue to step prevention."

Hong Kong : Update on laboratory tests of fatal scarlet fever cases

Via Hong Kong's Centre for Health Protection :

" The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health has conducted further laboratory testing on specimens from the two recent scarlet fever deaths. Results showed that two different strains of Streptococcus pyogenes were involved.

In the case of the 7-year-old girl who passed away on May 29 at Queen Mary Hospital, typing tests on the bacterium (Streptococcus pyogenes) isolated from this patient identified the strain emm 12. Similar typing tests on the bacterial isolate from the 5-year-old boy who passed away on June 21 in Princess Margaret Hospital, however, identified the strain emm 1.

Further tests are being carried out by the Public Health Laboratory Centre.

In the 24 hours ending at noon today (June 23), the CHP had recorded 32 cases of scarlet fever and four scarlet fever outbreaks."

Hong Kong : Suspected fatal case of scarlet fever under investigation

Via Hong Kong's Centre for Health Protection, fatal case of scarlet fever is being investigated :

" The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is investigating a suspected fatal case of scarlet fever involving a 5-year-old boy.

The boy presented with fever from June 15. He was admitted to Princess Margaret Hospital on June 19 after sudden deterioration in his condition. The boy developed toxic shock syndrome and passed away today (June 21). According to his parent, the child had consulted a general practitioner for chickenpox earlier.

The patient's clinical diagnosis was scarlet fever and toxic shock syndrome. A laboratory test on his blood specimen revealed gram positive cocci. Further tests are being conducted by the hospital to confirm diagnosis.

The Public Health Laboratory Centre under the CHP will also carry out tests on any positive isolate obtained. Further investigation is ongoing to collect more complete clinical information from the parents and doctors who have seen the child.

The kindergarten that the boy attended, SA Tin Ka Ping Kindergarten in Sha Tin, had no other scarlet fever cases, but an ongoing chickenpox outbreak since May 4 has affected 11 other students aged between 3 and 5. As a precautionary measure, the CHP advised the kindergarten to suspend classes for seven days starting tomorrow (June 22).

"The CHP paid a visit to the kindergarten and advised its staff to conduct thorough cleansing and disinfection in the campus," a spokesman for the CHP said.

Starting from today, the CHP will provide a daily update on the scarlet fever situation online."

Scarlet fever epidemic in S.China yet to peak

Via Reuters, excerpt :

" A scarlet fever epidemic has broken out in parts of southern China, killing a child in Hong Kong and making hundreds sick and health authorities said on Tuesday the outbreak may get more serious in weeks ahead.

"Mainland China and Macau are also suffering from unusually high numbers of scarlet fever cases and we believe it may be a regional phenomenon," a spokeswoman for the Health Department in Hong Kong said.

"The outbreak hasn't shown signs of slowing down and we may continue to see more cases this summer."

Scarlet fever is caused by group A streptococcus bacteria and it mostly affects children below the age of 10. It is spread through contact with contaminated respiratory secretions.

Patients develop fever, a sore throat and break out in a red rash on their trunk, neck and limbs. It can be treated with antibiotics but complications can result in shock, heart and kidney illnesses.

Hong Kong has had more than 419 cases of scarlet fever this year, by far the highest number in years.

Cases in Hong Kong were up 4.5 fold compared with the same period last year. A seven-year-old girl died in late May and two boys, age 6 and 11, developed complications but they are now in stable condition."

Hong Kong : Alert over high level of scarlet fever cases

Another alert from Center for Health Protection in Hong Kong :

" The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (June 20) urged members of the public to maintain vigilance against scarlet fever as the number of reported cases remains at a high level.

A spokesman for the CHP said that the number of scarlet fever cases reported to the CHP up to June 17 this year reached 419, which exceeded figures for the annual number of cases recorded in the past 10 years. The number of reports has surged since April, with 75 cases recorded in April, 100 cases in May and 142 cases (up to June 17) in June.

Among the 419 cases, the patients were aged between 1 month and 37 years old. Ninety-three per cent of cases were children under 10 years old. Most cases were mild and their characteristics were similar to cases reported in previous years.

So far, there have been six institutional outbreaks in 2011, involving three kindergartens/child care centres, two primary schools and one residential special child care centre. A total of 22 persons were affected, with two to seven cases involved in each outbreak. Another 11 small clusters occurred in household settings, affecting two to three persons in each cluster.

The spokesman said, "The CHP is attentive to the high level of scarlet fever activity this year and is closely monitoring the situation. A simultaneous increase of scarlet fever cases is also noted in the Mainland and Macao, suggesting a regional phenomenon at play."

Hong Kong : Fatal case of scarlet fever investigated

Via Hong Kong's Center for Health Protection :

" The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (May 30) is investigating a fatal case of scarlet fever involving a seven-year-old girl.

The patient presented with fever, sore throat, vomiting and skin rash on May 20. She consulted a private doctor but her condition deteriorated. She was referred and admitted to Queen Mary Hospital (QMH) on May 27. Her condition further deteriorated and complicated with toxic shock syndrome. She passed away on May 29.

Laboratory tests on the patient's blood and blister fluid specimens by QMH both yielded positive results for Streptococus pyogenes (Group A).

The CHP's investigation revealed that the girl did not have recent travel history. Her home and school contacts were asymptomatic. Investigation continues.

A CHP spokesman explained that scarlet fever is caused by Group A Streptococus bacteria. It can be cured with an appropriate antibiotic. This disease usually affects children between two and eight years of age. It presents as fever, sore throat and rash. The rash appears over the trunk and neck and spreads to the limbs, especially armpits, elbows and the groin.

"Typically scarlet fever rash does not involve the face. It is transmitted through either a respiratory route or direct contact with infected respiratory secretions," he said.

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

A total of 268 cases of scarlet fever have been reported so far this year. There were 128, 187 and 235 cases in 2010, 2009 and 2008 respectively. No fatal cases were reported in the past five years."