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Alert over high level of scarlet fever cases
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     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (June 20) urged members of the public to maintain vigilance against scarlet fever as the number of reported cases remains at a high level.

     A spokesman for the CHP said that the number of scarlet fever cases reported to the CHP up to June 17 this year reached 419, which exceeded figures for the annual number of cases recorded in the past 10 years. The number of reports has surged since April, with 75 cases recorded in April, 100 cases in May and 142 cases (up to June 17) in June.  

     Among the 419 cases, the patients were aged between 1 month and 37 years old. Ninety-three per cent of cases were children under 10 years old. Most cases were mild and their characteristics were similar to cases reported in previous years.

     So far, there have been six institutional outbreaks in 2011, involving three kindergartens/child care centres, two primary schools and one residential special child care centre. A total of 22 persons were affected, with two to seven cases involved in each outbreak. Another 11 small clusters occurred in household settings, affecting two to three persons in each cluster.

     The spokesman said, "The CHP is attentive to the high level of scarlet fever activity this year and is closely monitoring the situation. A simultaneous increase of scarlet fever cases is also noted in the Mainland and Macao, suggesting a regional phenomenon at play.

     "Letters have been issued to doctors, institutions and schools to remind them to take prevention and control measures."

     The CHP has commissioned the Department of Microbiology of the University of Hong Kong (HKU) to perform genetic study on the bacterium (Group A Streptococcus) causing scarlet fever. On testing an isolate from the 6-year-old boy who developed septicaemia, as reported on June 13, the HKU team found that one unique gene fragment was inserted into the genome of the bacteria, which might contribute to increased transmissibility of this strain.

     "The CHP will collaborate with the Department of Microbiology of HKU to perform genetic study on other recent scarlet fever cases. The Public Health Laboratory Centre under the CHP is also closely monitoring the genetic sequences among local cases," the spokesman said.

     The CHP will inform the Mainland and Macao health authorities of this finding.

     "The CHP will further strengthen public education on scarlet fever prevention," the spokesman said. He explained that scarlet fever is caused by Group A Streptococcus bacteria and can be cured with appropriate antibiotics. This disease usually affects children under 10 years of age and presents as fever, sore throat and rash. The rash appears over the trunk and neck and spreads to the limbs, especially the armpits, elbows and groin. The illness is usually clinically mild but can be complicated by shock and heart and kidney diseases.

     "Scarlet fever is transmitted through either the respiratory route or direct contact with infected respiratory secretions," he said.

     People who are suspected to have scarlet fever should consult their doctors.

     To prevent infection, members of the public are advised to:

* maintain good personal and environmental hygiene;
* keep hands clean and wash hands properly;
* wash hands when they are dirtied by respiratory secretions, e.g. after sneezing;
* cover the nose and mouth while sneezing or coughing and dispose of nasal and mouth discharge properly; and
* maintain good ventilation.

Ends/Monday, June 20, 2011
Issued at HKT 18:35

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