Strep A: Scarlet fever hotspots detected in London

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Figures from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) showed that neighborhoods in the two boroughs of London had the highest rates of suspected disease, a manifestation of Strep A infection.

There have been relatively few or no cases in the east and north London areas, according to the data. The numbers represent suspected cases of scarlet fever, which have not been officially confirmed. However, monitoring these levels can still provide health authorities with an indication of how much Strep A is circulating.

Strep A can cause many different types of infections, ranging from minor illnesses to serious and potentially fatal diseases. These include scarlet fever, sore throat, skin infection and impetigo.

Symptoms of scarlet fever include a sore throat, headache, and fever, along with a mild, pink, or red rash on the body with a “sand paper” feel. NHS information online suggests that Strep A infections such as scarlet fever can be treated with the antibiotics penicillin and amoxicillin.

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The figures showed that 1,131 suspected cases of scarlet fever were reported in England and Wales in the week to December 4, of which 156 were in London. This is up from 991 infections across the UK in the previous week and more than double the number recorded in the week to 6 November.

The Bromley borough had the highest toll in London, with 13 infections reported in the seven days to 4 December. Bexley, Lambeth, Hammersmith, Fulham and Ealing came second with 12 cases recorded.

Lewisham reported 11 cases of scarlet fever while Croydon recorded 10.

Meanwhile, multiple boroughs in east London have not recorded any cases. There were no confirmed infections in Hackney, Newham, Tower Hamlets, Redbridge and Waltham Forest.

The picture was similar in north London, where Haringey and Islington did not report a single case.

London had the third highest regional total of cases of scarlet fever in England, behind the South East (189) and the North West (182).

Health authorities said overall rates of scarlet fever were four times higher than pre-pandemic levels.

While the vast majority of Strep A infections are relatively mild, the bacteria sometimes causes severe and life-threatening streptococcal disease.

Dr Yvonne Young, deputy director of health protection at the UK’s Health Security Agency in London, urged parents in London to “trust their judgment” and seek urgent medical help if their child becomes seriously ill with symptoms of Strep A.

She said: “It’s always worrying when a baby is unwell, but fortunately mild cases of gas infection can be treated with antibiotics from your GP.

However, in very rare cases GAS bacteria can become ‘invasive’ (iGAS), and symptoms to look out for include breathing difficulties, turning blue of the skin, tongue or lips, or if your child is fussy and won’t stay awake It is extremely important that, as a parent, you trust your own judgment and seek prompt medical help if your child’s condition begins to worsen or they develop any of these serious symptoms.”

She added, “Good hand and respiratory hygiene, and staying away from others when feeling unwell are all important factors in stopping the spread of gas and other common winter ailments.”

In other developments, Health Secretary Steve Barclay on Wednesday denied there was a shortage of antibiotics needed to treat Strep A infection. It came after the Independent Multiplexing Pharmacy Association, which represents around 4,000 pharmacies, said many were struggling to get everything they needed.

Barclay told GB News: “We are in very close contact with our medical suppliers. They are obligated to tell us if there is a shortage of supplies. They haven’t done that yet.”

He also told Sky News: “I checked with the team last night – we have a well-established team in the division who do this on a permanent basis – and they reassured me we had a good supply.”

UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) officials have suggested that a lack of mixing due to the Covid pandemic plus susceptibility in children may “restore the normal scarlet fever season” from spring this side of Christmas.

Dr Colin Brown, deputy director of the UKHSA, suggested on Tuesday that the strains are not more severe, adding: “There is nothing particularly new or novel about the bacteria causing the infection that we’re seeing at the moment.”

The full list of infections recorded in London boroughs in the week to 4 December is as follows:

Bromley – 13 hits

Bexley – 12 hits

Ealing – 12 hits

Hammersmith and Fulham – 12 injuries

Lambeth – 11 hits

Lewisham – 11 hits

Croydon – 10 hits

Hounslow – 9 hits

Richmond upon Thames – 9 injuries

Wandsworth – 8 injuries

Sutton – 8 hits

Southwark – 7 injuries

Greenwich – 6 injuries

Kingston upon Thames – 5 injuries

Hillingdon – 5 hits

Harrow – 5 hits

Brent – 4 hits

Kensington and Chelsea – two infections

Camden infection – 1

Barnet – 1 infection

Westminster infection – 1

Waltham Forest – 0 injuries

Redbridge – 0 infections

Havering – 0 injuries

Enfield – 0 injuries

Barking and Dagenham – 0 hits

Tower Hamlets – 0 injuries

Newham – 0 injuries

Haringey – 0 infections

Islington – 0 injuries

Hackney – 0 hits

City of London – 0 injuries

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