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The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (March 29) investigating a suspected case of scarlet fever involving a 12-year-old boy.
The patient, a Thai tourist, has presented with fever, skin rash and strawberry tongue since March 22. He was admitted to Princess Margaret Hospital on March 27. The diagnosis was scarlet fever. The patient was transferred to the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit the next day because of hypotension. His current condition is stable.
Throat swab and blood samples were taken from the boy and results are pending.
The boy lived in Thailand and travelled to Hong Kong on March 21. He travelled with his parents and both were asymptomatic.
The investigation is continuing.
A CHP spokesman explained that scarlet fever is caused by Group A Streptococcus bacteria and can be cured with appropriate antibiotics. The disease usually affects children from 2 to 8 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 suspect they 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/Thursday, March 29, 2012
Issued at HKT 19:12
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