There has been a decrease in scarlet fever cases across Greater Manchester though infections remain high, according to the latest data.
Statistics from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) show that from January 8 to January 22, the region recorded two cases of invasive group A streptococcal disease (iGAS) and 41 cases of Scarlet Fever.
The week ending January 8 recorded 28 cases of scarlet fever and January 22 data recorded a decrease in scarlet fever with 13 cases and one new notification of a potential case of Strep A in Wigan.
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The UKHSA says that nationally, from 19 September to 15 January, there have been 38,429 notifications of scarlet fever. This is compared to the high season of 2017 and 2018 (September to August), where there were 30,768 scarlet fever notices overall across the year.
Notifications and GP consultations of scarlet fever in England continue to identify exceptional levels of activity during this early point in the season, although the number of cases has fallen in recent weeks suggesting a decrease in transition of bacteria. Cases of iGAS disease also remains higher than expected for this time of year throughout the region.
The iGAS infections remain rare but are currently higher than we see in a typical year. So far this season there have been 1,675 iGAS cases across all age groups, compared to 2,967 across the whole of the last comparably high season in 2017 to 2018.
With 190 iGAS cases in children aged 1 to 4 compared to 194 cases in the 2017 to 2018 season and 132 cases in children aged 5 to 9 years compared to 117 during the 2017 to 2018 season.
Though the number of weekly notifications of iGAS in children has decreased, older age groups (particularly over 65 years), infections have not slowed at the same rate. UKSHA are monitoring this closely and, as with previous seasons, the majority of iGAS cases continue in those over 45 years.
This season, there have been 211 deaths across all age groups in England, according to UKHSA. This figure includes 30 children under 18 in England. In 2017-2018, there were 355 deaths in total including 27 deaths in children under 18.
When to call a GP if you or your child:
People should call a doctor if they or someone close experience any of the scarlet fever symptoms including:
- Have not got better within a week (after seeing a GP)
- Become ill again, weeks after scarlet fever got better - this could be a sign of rheumatic fever
- Have scarlet fever and chickenpox at the same time
- Are feeling unwell and have been in contact with someone who has scarlet fever
Dr Derren Ready, UKHSA incident director, said: "Although the number of scarlet fever notifications we are seeing each week is falling, the bacteria that cause the infection are still circulating at high levels. It’s also not unusual to have a dip in the number of cases before the spring, so we could see infections rise again in the coming months.
"Please contact NHS 111 or your GP if you suspect you or your child have scarlet fever – with symptoms such as fever, sore throat, difficulty swallowing and a sandpapery rash.
"Early treatment of scarlet fever with antibiotics is important to reduce the risk of a more serious infection and transmission to others. Children should stay off school or nursery and adults should stay off work for 24 hours after antibiotics have started.
"It’s not too late to take up the free flu and coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccines if you’re eligible – we know that group A streptococcus infections can be more serious when combined with another infection including flu.
"Most winter illnesses can be managed at home and NHS.UK has information to help parents look after children with mild illnesses. Contact NHS 111 or your GP surgery if you think your child is getting worse, for instance, if they are feeding or eating less than normal, are dehydrated, have a high temperature that won’t go down, are very hot and sweaty or seem more tired or irritable than normal.
"It is important that we continue to help stop the spread of all germs in the community and to vulnerable groups. Wash your hands regularly and thoroughly, catch coughs and sneezes in a tissue, and keep your home well-ventilated. If you are unwell with any infection you should avoid visiting vulnerable people, and stay away from school, nursery or work if you are unwell with a fever."
Invasive group A strep (iGAS) cases in Greater Manchester
When GPs diagnose a suspected case of a Strep A infection they are required to notify the UKHSA and infections are then logged in weekly NOIDS (Notification of Infectious Diseases) reports. Analysis of these reports - which provide an early warning of potential outbreaks of serious diseases - shows that doctors in Greater Manchester have identified 18 potential cases of invasive group A streptococcal disease since the start of this year.
As mentioned, one new Strep A case and 13 scarlet fever cases have been logged in Greater Manchester this week. In total, 10 suspected cases have been identified in Manchester; nine in Salford; seven in Stockport; five in Trafford; six in Bury, Tameside, and Wigan; and three in Bolton and Rochdale according to weekly NOIDS reports from Jan 1, 2022- Jan 22, 2023. These are separate from lab-confirmed reports which are only available at a national level and are used to inform overall totals.
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