The Health Bureau (SSM) urged members of the public, especially parents of children, educational institutions and nurseries to stay vigilant against scarlet fever, which has recently emerged in Macau, according to an SSM statement yesterday.
According to the statement, the number of scarlet fever cases has continued to rise in recent months, from eight cases per week in early November to 35 cases last week, higher than the average of about four cases per week in October, an average of one case per week in the same period last year, and an average of 20 cases per week in the same period in 2019 before the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak.
As of Tuesday, a total of 162 scarlet fever cases had been recorded in Macau this year, which is much higher than the total of 23 cases in the same period last year, but still lower than the total of 406 cases in the same period in pre-pandemic 2019, the statement said.
The scarlet fever male-to-female patient ratio is two to one, and the age range is one year to 83 years, with the majority aged between one and nine years, accounting for 97 percent of the total, the statement said, adding that among them, 10 cases of scarlet fever required hospitalisation, all of which have recovered and been discharged, and no serious or fatal cases have been recorded, and no cluster infection events of scarlet fever have been recorded so far this year.
Scarlet fever is a bacterial infection caused by Group A Streptococcus which mostly affects children aged two to eight, with an incubation period of 1 to 3 days.
The bacteria are present in the mouth, throat and nose of the infected person. They are transmitted through either respiratory droplets or direct contact with infected respiratory secretions.
Scarlet fever usually starts with a fever, sore throat, headache, vomiting and abdominal pain may also occur, while the tongue may have a distinctive "strawberry"-like (red and bumpy) appearance. A "sandpaper" texture-like rash will commonly begin on the first or second day of illness over the upper trunk and neck, which spreads to the limbs, the statement said, adding that the rash is usually more prominent in armpit, elbow and groin areas.
According to the UK NHS websites, on light skin the rash looks pink or red. On brown and black skin it might be harder to see a change in colour, but you can still feel the rash and see the raised bumps.
Scarlet fever sometimes get more complicated such as leading to a middle-ear infection, throat abscess, chest infection, meningitis, bone or joint problems, damage to kidneys, liver and heart, and – rarely – toxic shock syndrome, the statement said.
There is no vaccine available against scarlet fever, the statement said, and members of the public are advised to reduce their chance of getting infected by performing hand hygiene frequently, especially before touching the mouth, nose or eyes.
The statement also advised the public to regularly clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces such as furniture, toys and commonly shared items with 1:99 diluted household bleach (mixing one part of 5.25 percent bleach with 99 parts of water), leave it for 15 to 30 minutes, and then rinse with water and dry.
Image courtesy of CDC
