There were 90 suspected cases of the disease in the four weeks to March 27
Cases of scarlet fever in North Wales have nearly tripled in a year.
In the four weeks to March 27, there were 90 suspected cases of the disease reported to public health officials, which is 165% higher than the 34 cases reported in the same period in 2015.
Gwynedd, with 31 cases compared to four last year, saw the highest number of cases over the four weeks, while Denbighshire saw the biggest year-on-year percentage increase, up from three cases in 2015 to 26 in 2016.
According to Public Health England (PHE), there were 1,319 reported cases in Wales and England between March 21 and 27 - the highest weekly total recorded in recent decades.
A total of 10,570 cases of scarlet fever have now been reported since the season began in September 2015.
Scarlet fever is a seasonal illness which should be treated with antibiotics, and cases of the illness usually peak at this time of year.
This is the third season in a row in which elevated scarlet fever activity has been noted.
Read more: Betsi Cadwaladr health board 'powerless' to stop people smoking outside North Wales hospitals
A total of 15,637 notifications were made in England and Wales in 2014, rising to 17,590 in 2015.
Weekly activity so far this season has been similar or slightly above that of last year.
Scarlet fever is mainly a childhood disease and is most common in children between the ages of two and eight years.
It was once a very dangerous infection, but has become much less serious thanks to the use of antibiotics. There is currently no vaccine for scarlet fever.
Little Elsieè-Maie Dawson-Clarke from Prestatyn was left housebound for a week after being struck by the disease.
The one-year-old’s mum Stacy said: “It’s such a nasty infection.
“Elsieè started off with what I thought was a heat rash around the bottom of her tummy, so I just kept her cool for a couple of days to see if it went.
“After three days, it spread everywhere from head to toe - even the soles of her feet.
“Her tongue was bright red and resembled a strawberry.
“She wouldn’t drink or eat and I struggled to breastfeed her.
“At bedtime, she would burn up, and only slept for 20 to 30 minutes at a time before waking up.
“Elsieè was housebound for seven days whilst on antibiotics for five days. She’s made a full recovery now though.”
Dr Chris Williams, consultant epidemiologist for Public Health Wales, said: “We have seen an increase in reports of scarlet fever in the first part of 2016 in Wales, similar to that seen in other parts of the UK and also in recent years.
“The weekly number of cases appears to have peaked in March and is now falling, but we are continuing to monitor the situation.
“People should be aware of the symptoms, which include a fine pink-red rash that feels like sandpaper, a high temperature, a flushed face and a red, swollen tongue.
“Children under the age of 10 are most commonly affected, but people of all ages can be infected by the bacterium that causes scarlet fever.
“Most cases of scarlet fever will clear up on their own, but it is still best to seek medical advice.
“People diagnosed with scarlet fever should stay away from others until they have been on a course of antibiotics for at least 24 hours, to avoid passing on the infection.
“The spread of infection can be also be reduced by washing or disposing of tissues or handkerchiefs straight away, washing hands frequently and thoroughly, and not sharing eating utensils, clothes, bedding and towels.”
For more information about scarlet fever, visit the NHS Direct website.
see-http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/scarlet-fever-cases-north-wales-11186269
No comments:
Post a Comment