{"id":9368,"date":"2011-06-19T21:06:29","date_gmt":"2011-06-19T21:06:29","guid":{"rendered":""},"modified":"2011-06-19T21:06:29","modified_gmt":"2011-06-19T21:06:29","slug":"Hong-Kong-seeing-record-number-of-scarlet-fever-cases","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/asiancemagazine.com\/?p=9368","title":{"rendered":"Hong Kong seeing record number of scarlet fever cases"},"content":{"rendered":"

Hong Kong is seeing a record number of cases of scarlet fever – over 400 so far – this year<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

That is two to three times more than the norm.<\/p>\n

Initial tests by the University of Hong Kong show the bacteria causing scarlet fever may have mutated, making the disease more contagious.<\/p>\n

Health authorities also warn of an unusually high prevalence of the disease in the region.<\/p>\n

Hong Kong<\/strong> health officials are urging the public, especially parents with small children, to remain vigilant amid a spike of scarlet fever cases in the city.<\/p>\n

There have been 419 cases so far this year – a record high for Hong Kong.<\/p>\n

So far, the disease has already claimed the life of a seven-year-old girl last month<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Children between the ages of three and 10 are most vulnerable to the disease.<\/p>\n

Health authorities said “Group A Streptococcus” is the bacteria which causes the disease<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

The Center for Health Protection said that the rise in scarlet fever cases is not just hitting Hong Kong.<\/p>\n

Thomas Tsang, controller of the Hong Kong Centre for Health Protection, said:<\/strong> “We notice that this is a regional phenomenon not limited to Hong Kong. We found an increased scarlet fever incident is also found in mainland China as well as Macau, so that points to something of a more diverse, geographical circulation.”<\/p>\n

Typical symptoms are a rash, fever and a strawberry-colored tongue<\/strong>. <\/p>\n

Doctors said the disease can be treated with antibiotics such as penicillin<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

However they said parents should take their children to the doctor right away if they show any symptoms, as it is crucial to nab the disease early on. <\/p>\n

As the disease is passed through respiratory secretions, doctors are urging people to maintain good public hygiene<\/strong>, such as regularly washing their hands.<\/p>\n

Source AFP<\/em>
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