Parents are warned to be alert as cases of scarlet fever rise across Cumbria.
Confirmed cases of scarlet fever – which are caused by the same bacteria as Strep A – have surpassed normal levels in the county over recent weeks.
The illness is usually mild and easily treated using antibiotics, but it is also highly infectious, which has prompted health bosses to issue warnings over what symptoms to look out for.
Colin Cox, director of public health in Cumbria, said: “As within the rest of the country we are seeing high levels of scarlet fever, much higher than you would expect at this time of year normally, so it’s unseasonal, at the moment there’s lots of cases.
“What we don’t no yet is if we’re going to have a bad season for scarlet fever or whether this is just a peak, we’ll have to wait and see. But at the moment it’s certainly higher than you’d expect at this time of year.”
Mr Cox added that there are a range of potential reasons for the sudden rise in cases, but that at the moment, the primary cause is unknown.
Speaking about the differences between scarlet fever and Strep A, he said: “They are caused by the same bacteria, but they are very different clinical presentation. It is possible for someone with scarlet fever to develop iGAS (invasive Strep A) but it is very rare.
“We’re not seeing people dying from scarlet fever, we’re seeing people dying from invasive strep A, which gets into parts of the body that it normally doesn’t. If people are seeing children getting scarlet fever and they’re worried about people dying because of the news reports, then they should not be worried, it is not the same thing.”
No cases of invasive Strep A have been recently reported in Cumbria. Anyone can get scarlet fever, but it is most common in children aged five to 15 years old. Those who are in regular close contact with children are also more at risk.
The main symptom parents are being urged to be aware of is a fine, pink, scarlet or red rash that has a sandpapery feel alongside cold or flu symptoms and a “strawberry” red and bumpy tongue.
Mr Cox added: “There is a lot of anxiety out there at the moment and it is not helping people, my advice to people is carry on as normal and be alert for symptoms.
“In order to prevent the illness spreading, the best things you can do are follow the usual public health hygiene advice, which includes respiratory hygiene like coughing into handkerchiefs and using good hand hygiene by washing hands regularly, those are the key things that stop it spreading.”
Case numbers last week across Cumbria
- Allerdale: 20
- Barrow: 0
- Carlisle: 2
- Copeland: 1
- Eden: 2
- South Lakeland: 5