Big rise in the number of scarlet fever cases

THERE have been more than 100 cases of scarlet fever reported in the West Midlands in the past six weeks, up by nearly a third on the number in the same period last year.

In the six weeks to January 7, covering December and the festive period, 128 suspected cases of scarlet fever have been reported to Public Health England (PHE) in the West Midlands met area.

The number of reports is much higher than in the same period in the previous five years. There were 98 cases reported in 2016/17, the previous peak, and just eight in 2013/14.

Reports in 2016/17 have averaged around 25 a week in the four weeks to December 24, falling to 16 reports in the week to January 7. Across England and Wales, in the six weeks to January 7, covering December and the festive period, 2,507 suspected cases of scarlet fever have been reported to PHE.

The number of reports is much higher than in the same period in the previous two years when 1,382 cases were reported in 2016/17 and 1,339 in 2015/16. The number of reported scarlet fever cases across England and Wales is at its highest level for this time of year since at least 2010/11 – when 304 cases were reported.

Early signs include a sore throat, a headache, a high temperature, swollen glands in the neck and being sick.

This may be followed by a rash on the body, which is made up of pink-red blotches and usually starts on the chest or stomach, a red face and a white or red tongue.