Parents warned as cases of scarlet fever on the increase in Coventry

[dutchman]

There has been a fivefold increase in the number of cases of scarlet fever in Coventry.

There were 22 cases of the disease reported to public health officials in the four weeks to February 28.

That compares with just four cases in the same four weeks last year. The rise in cases in Coventry is part of a national rise.

There have been 2,909 cases nationally in the first eight weeks of 2016 compared with 2,426 in the first eight weeks of 2015.

For reasons scientists don’t fully understand scarlet fever is more common in some years than others.

In Coventry 2014 also saw a higher than usual number of cases.

The figures have been collected by staff from Public Health England, part of the National Health Service.

Dr Theresa Lamagni, Public Health England head of streptococcal infection surveillance, said: “We can expect to see increasing numbers of cases of scarlet fever as the season progresses over the course of the winter and spring.

“Given the high number of patients reported to have scarlet fever last season, we are keeping a very close eye on national and local notifications.

“Individuals should be mindful of the symptoms of scarlet fever, which include a sore throat, headache and fever with a sand papery, fine, pink rash developing within one to two days of first symptoms.

“If you or your child develops any of these symptoms you should contact your GP.

“NHS Choices also provides helpful information on symptoms of infection including photographs of the rash.

“Whilst scarlet fever is not usually a severe illness it should be treated with antibiotics to reduce the risk of further complications and to minimise the risk of spread of the infection to others.

“Children or adults diagnosed with scarlet fever are advised to stay at home until at least 24 hours after the start of antibiotic treatment to avoid spreading the infection to others.”

After catching the illness it usually takes two to five days for symptoms to appear.

Scarlet fever is a notifiable disease which means doctors have to tell Public Health England about all the cases they see.