THE NUMBER of scarlet fever infections was down in Buckinghamshire and Berkshire last week.

Weekly data released by the UK Health Security Agency’s statutory notification of infectious diseases in the country showed how many people contracted diseases during the week ending January 1.

A total of 15 scarlet fever infections were reported in Bucks and Berks during the week ending January 1 – compared to 27 cases the previous week.

South East saw a total of 220 cases of scarlet fever, which is down from 854 the previous week.  

Berkshire areas recorded 11 infections in total – less than half of 22 cases the previous week.

Reading had three cases, Slough one, Windsor and Maidenhead two, Bracknell Forest one, West Berkshire two, and Wokingham two cases last week.

Buckinghamshire had four cases, which is one infections less than the previous week.

Aylesbury Vale recorded one case, two in Chiltern, and one in Wycombe area.

Other infections saw one case of malaria and one infection of mumps in Reading, and one infection of mumps in Slough during the week ending January 1.

Sadly, 29 children under the age of 18 have died after contracting Strep A during the latest season. Across all age groups, 151 people died of a Strep A infection between the season September 12 2022 and January 1 2023.

Strep A, or Group A streptococcus, can cause scarlet fever, throat infections, and in rare cases, an invasive form of the disease.

Usually, the mild form of infection can be treated with antibiotics, and only rarely the bacteria manages to get into the bloodstream and cause invasive Group A strep (iGAS).

A family was left devastated after five-year-old Sienna died at Great Ormond Street Hospital on December 21 after contracting Strep A. 

On November 14, four-year-old Muhammad Ibrahim Ali died at his home in High Wycombe following a cardiac arrest caused by iGAS.

The majority of iGAS cases continue to affect people over 45.

UKHSA incident director Dr Obaghe Edeghere said: “We are continuing to see a rise in scarlet fever and ‘strep throat’ and this is understandably concerning for parents. However I would stress that the condition can be easily treated with antibiotics and it is very rare that a child will go on to become more seriously ill.

“Over the winter, there are lots of illnesses circulating that can make children unwell and so it is important to avoid contact with other people if you are feeling unwell, wash your hands regularly and thoroughly and catch coughs and sneezes in a tissue. I would also urge all those eligible for free winter vaccines to take advantage of these.”

What is Strep A?

 

Group A streptococcus (or Strep A) is known to cause scarlet fever, throat infections and, in very rare cases, invasive disease.

This can occur when bacteria get into parts of the body where bacteria are not usually found, such as the blood, muscle or the lungs.

It can happen if the bacteria get past a person’s defences, such as through an open wound or when a person’s immune system is depleted.

Strep A symptoms

 

The bacteria can be found in the throat and on the skin and people may carry it without displaying any symptoms.

It can live in throats and on hands for long enough to allow easy spread between people through sneezing, kissing and skin contact.

Invasive Strep A can cause further complications.

Symptoms include:

high fever

severe muscle aches

localised muscle tenderness

redness at site of a wound