{"id":87624,"date":"2023-11-15T12:57:43","date_gmt":"2023-11-15T12:57:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/celebritytidings.com\/?p=87624"},"modified":"2023-11-15T12:57:43","modified_gmt":"2023-11-15T12:57:43","slug":"fears-of-outbreak-grow-as-scarlet-fever-cases-double-in-part-of-the-uk-map-reveals-worst-hit-areas-the-sun","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/celebritytidings.com\/lifestyle\/fears-of-outbreak-grow-as-scarlet-fever-cases-double-in-part-of-the-uk-map-reveals-worst-hit-areas-the-sun\/","title":{"rendered":"Fears of outbreak grow as scarlet fever cases double in part of the UK – map reveals worst-hit areas | The Sun"},"content":{"rendered":"

CASES of scarlet fever have more than doubled\u00a0<\/strong>in parts of the UK, new figures have revealed. <\/p>\n

In Wales, suspected infections have climbed to 55 in the week ending October 29, more than double the 26 confirmed the week before.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Scarlet fever cases have steadily risen since September, but still appear lower than last year, according to UK Health Security Agency data.<\/p>\n

The bacterial infection is triggered by\u00a0Group A Strep bacteria.<\/p>\n

It was more widespread in the Victorian era when it was far more deadly.<\/p>\n

Thanks to better hygienic practices, the disease no longer displays as severe symptoms.<\/p>\n

Read more on scarlet fever<\/h2>\n

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Outbreak fears as scarlet fever cases surge 70% – is your child at risk?<\/h3>\n

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Urgent warning to parents amid rise in Covid, flu and scarlet fever<\/h3>\n

However, even today, the bug can still be deadly. <\/p>\n

The South East has recorded a 53 per cent increase in cases within the last week, from 32 to 44.<\/p>\n

The West Midlands also saw a 53 per cent increase in suspected infections – from 17 to 26 cases. <\/p>\n

Next came Yorkshire and Humber, which reported a 52 per cent rise in cases, up to 46 cases.<\/p>\n

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The East Midlands reported a 39 per cent increase in cases, from 36 cases last week to 50. <\/p>\n

And the South West noted 15 cases this week, a 36 per cent increase from the 11 cases reported a week earlier. <\/p>\n

Meanwhile, case numbers in the North East, North West, East of England, London and the South West have all fallen slightly. <\/p>\n

Health risks <\/h2>\n

In rare cases, the bacteria can reach the bloodstream and cause a fatal invasive disease called iGAS.<\/p>\n

Anyone can catch it, but it most commonly affects children under the age of 10.<\/p>\n

Cases of Strep A surged last winter, peaking in December – this led to\u00a0severe antibiotic shortages.<\/p>\n

During that time, a total of 426 people, including 48 children, died with iGAS in England.<\/p>\n

So far this season there have been 1,233 cases of scarlet fever and 216 invasive group A streptococcus infections – slightly higher than usual for this time of year.<\/p>\n

By comparison, a separate UKHSA report said there were 61,442 cases of scarlet fever seen last winter season and 4,412 cases of iGAS.<\/p>\n

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Commenting on the rise in cases, Dr Theresa Lamagni, an epidemiologist at UKHSA, said: "Scarlet fever and invasive Group A strep is currently at low levels but starting to show slight increases in line with what we would typically see at this time of year.<\/p>\n

"Numbers of cases are below this same period last year and considerably lower than the high levels seen last December."<\/p>\n

Scarlet fever symptoms <\/h3>\n

The NHS says you should watch out for:<\/p>\n