The UK’s public health body says the number of scarlet fever cases could climb further (Picture: PA)
Cases of scarlet fever are three times higher than they should be and are expected to climb further.
Health officials are racing to identify the cause of a spike in cases after 19 children died from invasive Step A disease.
Professor Susan Hopkins, chief medical adviser at the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), said she keeping an ‘open mind’ on what is causing the increase.
The vast majority of children who catch the bacterial illness have mild symptoms but deadly cases have increased.
Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, she said: ‘The latest with scarlet fever and Strep A infections are that we’ve seen about just over 7500 notifications of scarlet fever, and that’s probably an underestimate.
‘We have a lot of reports coming in in the last few days so we expect it to be even higher.
‘That’s about three times higher than the same time in a normal season. The last bad season we had in 2017 and 18.
Parents are being warned to watch for symptoms and seek medical advice if their child deteriorates rapidly
‘And in invasive Group A Strep cases, we are more than halfway through what we’d normally see in an average season.
‘We’ve seen 111 cases in children aged one to four and 74 cases in children aged five to nine.”
Invasive group A strep (iGAS) is the most severe and unusual form of infection.
She said those numbers at the severe end are small, adding: ‘The vast majority of children have a self-limiting or mild illness and are being managed very well.’
Analysis has revealed the flu nasal spray vaccine appears to protect against the illness as cases are lower in areas where it has been rolled out.
Scientists believe some of the fatal cases of Step A have occurred where a child has also contracted another respiratory illness at the same time.
All children aged two and three are eligible for a flu nasal spray vaccine, which is being offered by GPs.
Only 37.4% of two-year-olds have received the vaccine so far, along with 39.5% of three-year-olds – well below the take-up reached at this point in previous winters, the latest data shows.
Scientists are working to figure out what is behind the rises in cases (Picture: Getty)
Strep A infections such as scarlet fever and impetigo are treated with antibiotics, with penicillin among the most commonly used.
The government has introduced serious shortage protocols (SSPs) for three penicillin medicines.
The move means pharmacists can legally supply alternative forms of the medicine if they do not have the specific formulation stated on the prescription, such as an oral solution.
Health officials have stressed that the UK has good supplies of antibiotics but said temporary local shortages due to rising demand were possible.
New protocols have been rolled out to give treatment to vulnerable close contacts of confirmed Strep A cases, including over-75s, newborn babies and heavily pregnant women.
Have you or your family been impacted by Strep A? We want to hear you story – get in touch at [email protected]
Your questions about Strep A answered
How do I test my child for Strep A?
Dr Nicole Robb, professor at Oxford and Warwick Universities and co-founder of health-technology firm Pictura Bio, told Metro.co.uk at the moment the only way to get tested is through a health practitioner or a GP.
‘We are all familiar with the rapid antigen tests through Covid, but you cannot just get these at a pharmacy,’ she said.
‘You do need to see a doctor to get those. Again, similarly to Covid, you can have a swab taken from your throat, which will take a day or two to get back.
‘What is lacking is any form of community or at-home testing. One of the things we saw during the pandemic is how fantastic it is to have access to lateral flow tests.
‘If you suspect your child has an illness, you can test them and have an answer in 20 minutes. But we don’t have that. We need to bring these technologies forward, like during Covid.’
What about at-home test kits?
At-home test kits for Strep A are available to be purchased online for as little as £8.99, but they are mostly sold out.
With the high rise in cases, Dr Robb has urged people to seek advice from the NHS rather than trying to self-diagnose.
‘A doctor will be able to use a variety of tests to confirm their diagnosis and will also be able to promptly prescribe antibiotics if needed,’ she said.
‘Early treatment of scarlet fever with antibiotics is important to reduce the risk of more severe complications.’
When should parents seek medical advice?
Knowing the symptoms of scarlet fever is the most important thing for parents, especially those with young children.
Contact NHS 111 or your GP if you suspect your child has developed it.
And call 999 or go to A&E if your child is having difficulty breathing, your child’s skin, tongue or lips are blue, or you child is floppy and will not wake up or stay awake.
Who is most vulnerable?
Strep A is more likely to occur in children than in adults, particularly amongst those that attend go to school or nurseries.
Dr Robb stressed that being together in a confined space may aid transmission.
She said children may also be more susceptible following illness with a viral infection, such as chickenpox.
As a parent, should I be worried? What should I be doing?
UKHSA confirmed that, currently, there is no evidence a new strain is circulating.
When asked if children need to be isolated at home during the outbreak, Dr Robb said the country is ‘nowhere near that stage yet’, urging people not to panic.
‘Do not keep your child at home if they are healthy,’ she added. ‘Just exercise caution and common sense.
‘Know what the symptoms are and what to look out for, but don’t panic unnecessarily.’
Downing Street has also urged parents to be on the lookout but stressed the NHS is ‘well prepared’ for such situations.
Why is it becoming more of an issue this year?
Dr Robb said: ‘We are seeing higher levels of Scarlet fever than normal. That could be for lots of different reasons.
‘It could be because of the arrival of the colder winter weather, and people spend more time mixing indoors and that increases transmission.
‘During the last three years of Covid, people have been restricted mostly inside and wearing masks.
‘That not only stopped Covid from spreading but also other common respiratory illnesses like Strep A. If the bugs are not spreading as normal, that just means our immunity as a population has gone down.’
Is there a shortage of antibiotics?
A Downing Street spokesman said it is not aware of any current shortage of the antibiotic amoxicillin.
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Around 7,500 cases have been registered but health officials believe the true number is higher.
