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Photo Credit – CDC PHIL : Photomicrograph of Streptococcus pyogenes bacteria, 900x Mag.
From their Centre For Health Protection we have a consensus view statement issued by the Scientific Committee (SC) on Emerging and Zoonotic Diseases and Scientific Committee on Advanced Data Analysis and Disease Modelling on the ongoing Scarlet Fever outbreak in Hong Kong.
You can find previous reports on this outbreak at:
Updating Hong Kong’s Scarlet Fever Outbreak
More On Hong Kong's Scarlet Fever Outbreak
When Old Bacteria Learns New Tricks
This latest statement, dated 6/27/2011 can be found at:
Excerpts:
- The rise of scarlet fever (SF) cases in Hong Kong is likely a regional phenomenon.
- The overall epidemiologic and clinical characteristics of SF cases in this outbreak resemble those in the past, although infrequently some cases may have atypical clinical presentation.
- The case fatality rate so far is not significantly higher than historical or international figures.
- A number of different Group A Streptococcus (GAS) strains causing SF are circulating in the community.
- The underlying reasons for the SF upsurge are being further investigated, including a new genetic fragment inserted in the bacterial genome, clone shuffling effects and others.
- The contribution of new GAS clone(s) with altered genetic characteristics causing this outbreak remains to be further investigated.
- For patients with suspected SF, the penicillin group of antibiotics is the treatment of choice and should be given for at least 10 days.
- Judicious use of antibiotics is important in preventing the development of bacterial resistance. Microbiological testing by antigen testing and culture should be considered to guide antimicrobial therapy. Patients with only runny nose without fever should not be considered for antimicrobial therapy unless the clinical condition changes or the microbiological test is positive for GAS.
- High SF activity will probably persist for a period of time into the summer. The situation needs to be closely monitored to guide public health measures.
The Committee recommends:
- studies be done to characterize the role and prevalence of new genetic changes and to project the outlook of the outbreak over time
- continued intensive surveillance for SF and invasive GAS infections including acute rheumatic fever and glomerulonephritis
- strengthening publicity and education on the appropriate use of antibiotics
- close communications with healthcare professionals on the progression of the outbreak and information pertaining to clinical diagnosis and management of SF patients
These views are also summarized in a press release issued today (6/28) from the Centre For Health Protection (CHP):
Update on scarlet fever in Hong Kong
The Scientific Committee (SC) on Emerging and Zoonotic Diseases and Scientific Committee on Advanced Data Analysis and Disease Modelling under the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) held a joint meeting today (June 27) to review and discuss the upsurge of scarlet fever (SF) in Hong Kong.
As of this writing (0530 EST), the CHP website had not updated their daily tally of Scarlet Fever Cases. As of yesterday, more than 600 cases had been reported in Hong Kong, and there are reports of thousands more on the mainland.
