Leeds health chiefs have told residents to 'be vigilant, not alarmed' during the current scarlet fever outbreak.
The city recorded the second-greatest number of scarlet fever cases in England and Wales last week. The disease which affects children is caused by the bacteria group A streptococcus, or 'strep' A, hence the name 'strep'.
While scarlet fever occurs in children every winter, levels across the country this winter have been at nearly three times the level of previous years. The disease, which is spread by coughs and sneezes, is usually mild but should be treated with antibiotics to prevent complications such as pneumonia arising.
