Scarlet fever symptoms and list of regional cases as outbreak sweeps across UK

29 November 2023 , 16:05

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Scarlet fever symptoms and list of regional cases as outbreak sweeps across UK

As scarlet fever cases begin to rise, parents have been told of the key symptoms that they must look out for.

So far, the south east of England is the region which has reported the most cases, followed by London and Wales. Cases have surged by almost 70 per cent in recent weeks, new figures have revealed. Nearly 450 people could have been infected with the bug in the week ending November 19, according to the UK Health Security Agency.

The figures come from doctors referring suspected cases to the local authority or health protection team. There were 446 referrals of suspected scarlet fever between November 12 and 19, up from 267 in the week ending October 15, just six weeks earlier.

Health experts have outlined the signs of scarlet fever in children as cases rise (Stoke Sentinel)

Cases of scarlet fever, once a deadly disease in Victorian times, have steadily risen since September but thankfully they still appear lower than last year at the moment. It is triggered by Group A Strep bacteria, and while anyone can catch it the elderly and young are more commonly affected. In rare cases, the bacteria can reach the bloodstream and cause a fatal invasive disease called iGAS.

Dr Theresa Lamagni, an epidemiologist at UKHSA, said: "Scarlet fever and invasive Group A strep are currently at low levels but starting to show slight increases in line with what we would typically see at this time of year. Numbers of cases are below this same period last year and considerably lower than the high levels seen last December."

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The NHS says: "The first signs of scarlet fever can be flu-like symptoms, including a high temperature, a sore throat and swollen neck glands. A rash appears 12 to 48 hours later. It looks like small, raised bumps and starts on the chest and tummy, then spreads. The rash makes your skin feel rough, like sandpaper. On white skin the rash looks pink or red. On brown and black skin it might be harder to see a change in colour, but you can still feel the rash and see the raised bumps."

Scarlet fever cases by region:

South East - 62

London - 57

Wales - 54

East Midlands - 51

Yorkshire and Humber - 51

West Midlands - 44

South West - 31

North East - 18

List of symptoms

• A sore throat
• Skin infection, including blisters or impetigo
• A large itchy pink or red rash on the skin (will appear after flu-like symptoms)
• Headache
• A high temperature
• Flushed cheeks
• A swollen tongue
• Swollen neck glands
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea or vomiting
• Red lines in the folds of the body, such as the armpit, which may last a couple of days after the rash has gone
• A white coating on the tongue, which peels a few days later leaving the tongue red and swollen (this is known as strawberry tongue)

Sam Elliott-Gibbs