Scarlet fever cases continuing to soar
CASES of scarlet fever continue to soar across Greater Manchester, latest figures reveal.
Almost 100 cases of the highly contagious bacterial infection were reported to public heath bosses in Greater Manchester last week.
In the week ending February 11, 97 suspected scarlet fever cases were reported to Public Health England (PHE) from this region.
That figure is far higher than in the sixth week of the previous four years – there 23 cases reported in 2017, 20 in 2016 and just 10 in 2015. And since the start of the year, there have been 275 cases in the region, more than double the 111 reported over the same period last year, the data from PHE reveals.
Scarlet fever occurs most often in the winter and spring, with symptoms include a rash, a sore throat, flushed cheeks and swollen tongue. It’s caused by a bacteria and can lead to ‘severe and life-threatening diseases,’ according to the NHS, but is easily treated with antibiotics.
Analysis of data by the M.E.N. reveals cases appear to be rising week on week, with 97 in the week to February 11, compared to 71 the week before, 54 in the week to January 28 and 23 in the week to January 21.
Stockport saw the highest number of reports in the week to February 4, with 24, up from five in the same week in 2017. It was followed by Manchester with 18 cases, up from eight, with 12 cases in Trafford, nine in Rochdale, eight each in Bolton and Oldham, seven in Salford, six in Wigan, and four in Bury.
Symptoms can include sore throat, fever, headaches and a rosy rash that generally starts on a patient’s chest.
It is much more common in children under 10 than teenagers or adults.