UKHSA update on scarlet fever and invasive group A strep

UKHSA update on scarlet fever and invasive group A strep Latest data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) continues to show an out of season increase in scarlet fever and group A streptococcus infections.

So far this season (from 12 September to 11 December) there have been 7,750 notifications of scarlet fever. This compares to a total of 2,538 at the same point in the year during the last comparably high season in 2017 to 2018 – although cases in that season started to rise at a different point. In 2017 to 2018 there were 30,768 scarlet fever notifications overall across the year. UK Health Security Agency

See also:

• Pharmacists able to supply alternative penicillin to treat Strep A Department of Health and Social Care
• Strep A: Pharmacies can now give alternative antibiotics BBC News
• Number of penicillin prescriptions amid Strep A outbreak has surged FIVEFOLD in three weeks The Daily Mail
• Drug watchdog warns firms against hiking prices of antibiotics amid Strep A panic The Daily Mail
• Strep A kills three more children as UK activates alternative medicines plan The Guardian
• Child deaths from Strep A in UK rises to 19 as outbreak spreads The Independent