{"id":53487,"date":"2017-11-28T06:34:30","date_gmt":"2017-11-28T06:34:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.biphoo.com\/bipnews\/?p=53487"},"modified":"2017-11-28T06:34:30","modified_gmt":"2017-11-28T06:34:30","slug":"scarlet-fever-cases-hit-50-year-high-england","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.biphoo.com\/bipnews\/world-news\/scarlet-fever-cases-hit-50-year-high-england.html","title":{"rendered":"Scarlet fever cases hit 50-year high in England"},"content":{"rendered":"

Scarlet fever cases hit 50-year high in England<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

Scarlet fever cases hit 50-year high in England:- Scarlet fever hit its highest level in England for 50 years, with more than 17,000 cases reported in 2016 – research in the Lancet shows.<\/span>
\nThe disease has been on the rise since 2014, but experts have so far failed to find a reason for the recent increase.<\/span><\/p>\n

Doctors are urging the public to be aware of symptoms, which include a rosy rash, and seek help from their GP.<\/span><\/p>\n

Data for 2017 suggests the rate may be falling, but experts remain cautious, saying it is “too early to tell”.<\/span><\/p>\n

The bacterial disease, though highly contagious, is not usually serious and can be treated with antibiotics.<\/span><\/p>\n

It is most common among children under 10.<\/span><\/p>\n

A joint investigation by public health authorities from across England and Wales found that the incidence of scarlet fever tripled between 2013 and 2014, rising from 4,700 cases to 15,637 cases.<\/span><\/p>\n

In 2016, there were 19,206 reported cases, the highest level since 1967.<\/span><\/p>\n

The majority of the outbreaks were in England.<\/span><\/p>\n

“We are concerned – it’s quite a dramatic rise,” said Dr Theresa Lamagni, head of streptococcal surveillance at Public Health England, who led the study.<\/span><\/p>\n

“We’ve always seen cases of scarlet fever – it’s just the scale in the past has been much lower than the last few years.”<\/span>
\n‘Like sandpaper’<\/span><\/p>\n

Scarlet fever is caused by bacteria known as group A streptococcus, and it is spread through close contact with people carrying the organism – often in the throat – or through contact with objects and surfaces contaminated with the bacterium.<\/span><\/p>\n

Symptoms include a sore throat, headache and fever, accompanied by a red rash that is rough to the touch (sometimes described as ‘like sandpaper’).<\/span><\/p>\n

Scarlet fever was a common cause of death in the Victorian era, but had largely been in decline since the introduction of antibiotics.<\/span><\/p>\n

However, prompt treatment remains essential to prevent both the spread of the disease and the risk of further complications such as pneumonia and liver damage.<\/span><\/p>\n

Anyone diagnosed with scarlet fever is advised to stay at home until at least 24 hours after the start of treatment to avoid passing on the infection.<\/span><\/p>\n

There is no vaccine against the disease and all cases must be reported by doctors to the local health authority.<\/span><\/p>\n

Dr Lamagni described the soaring number of cases of scarlet fever as “baffling”, adding that no underlying causes had been identified.<\/span><\/p>\n

Molecular genetic testing has ruled out a newly emerged strain of the infection, nor was there any suggestion that the disease had become resistant to the penicillin normally used to treat it.<\/span><\/p>\n

She stressed that cases of the disease are “not any more serious than previously – it’s just a question of scale”.<\/span><\/p>\n

‘Slight decrease’<\/span><\/p>\n

Several countries in East Asia have also reported an escalation over the past five years, including Vietnam, China, South Korea, and Hong Kong – but there appears to be “no clear connection” between them and England.<\/span><\/p>\n

Typically, natural cyclical patterns of scarlet fever incidence occur every four to six years – the dip in 2017 suggests the cycle may have peaked in 2016.<\/span><\/p>\n

Dr Lamagni said the “slight decrease” in the number of cases in England this year might suggest we have “turned a corner”, but she said the number of cases “remained high”.<\/span><\/p>\n

A total of 620 outbreaks of the illness were reported in 2016, mostly in schools and nurseries.<\/span><\/p>\n

About one in 40 cases is admitted to hospital, although just over half are discharged the same day.<\/span><\/p>\n

“We encourage parents to be aware of the symptoms of scarlet fever and to contact their GP if they think their child might have it,” said Dr Lamagni.<\/span><\/p>\n

Source:-\u00a0http:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/health-42135842<\/span><\/p>\n

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