HK Gov't issues Scarlet Fever alert

[penguinsix]

The health department issued an alert today about scarlet fever.

http://www.news.gov.hk/en/categories/health/html/2011/06/20110620_105843.shtml

A mutation has led to a new strain this year, with reported cases well up over last year's baseline. 90% of those infected are under 10, with the majority ages 4-7.

There have been two deaths this year, a 15 year old and a 7 year old.
http://www.thestandard.com.hk/news_detail.asp?sid=32658432&art_id=111921&con_type=1&pp_cat=11

 

[penguinsix]

The HK government has reported another death that may be related to Scarlet Fever. This would be the second death (apparently the Standard story about two deaths might not be accurate as one of those cases may have had another cause of death listed).

http://www.news.gov.hk/en/categories/health/html/2011/06/20110621_142959.shtml

The second death is a five year old boy in Sha Tin. The boy also recently had chicken pox so doctors are trying to determine what is the official cause of death as he had no scarlet fever symptoms.