Almost twice as many cases of scarlet fever PARENTS IN KIRKLEES URGED TO WATCH OUT FOR SYMPTOMS

MORE than 100 cases of scarlet fever have been reported in Kirklees during the first three months of this year – almost twice as many as for the same period last year.

Now parents have been urged to look out for the warning signs of the highly contagious disease.

While scarlet fever is usually a mild illness, Public Health England (PHE) is advising parents to be on the lookout for scarlet fever symptoms, which include a sore throat, headache and fever with a characteristic fine, pinkish or red rash with a sandpapery feel. If parents suspect signs of scarlet fever, they should contact their GP or phone NHS 111.

Prof Helen Stokes-Lampard, chairman of the Royal College of GPs, said: “Scarlet Fever is a bacterial infection that usually presents with a sore throat, fever, headaches and a rosy rash that generally starts on a patient’s chest.

“It is a very contagious disease and much more common in children under 10 than teenagers or adults, but it can be treated quickly and effectively with a full course of antibiotics and all GPs are trained to diagnose and treat it.

“Scarlet fever used to be a lot more common than it is now, but GPs are noticing more cases than in previous years at the moment. If a patient thinks that they, or their child, might have symptoms, they should seek medical assistance.”

Figures show that 112 suspected cases of scarlet fever were reported to Public Health England (PHE) in Kirklees between the start of the year and April 1. That compares with 67 cases reported in the same 13 weeks in 2017. There were 84 cases reported in 2016 and 74 in 2015.

There were 51 cases reported in the first three months of 2018 in Calderdale compared with 44 in 2017, 28 in 2016 and 35 in 2015.

In the first 13 weeks of the year, 15,549 suspected cases of scarlet fever were reported to PHE across England and Wales – against 7,050 in 2017 and 8,360 in 2016.

The latest Health Protection Report showed 6,225 cases of scarlet fever had been reported since mid-September, 2017, compared with 3,764 for the same period last season.

PHE deputy director Nick Phin said: “We are monitoring the situation closely and remind parents to be aware of the symptoms of scarlet fever and to contact their GP for assessment if they think their child might have it.

“Whilst there has been a notable increase in scarlet fever cases when compared to last season, greater awareness and improved reporting practices may have contributed to this increase.”