England’s worst affected areas for scarlet fever – which is caused by Strep A – have been revealed.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said there have been 1,131 confirmed cases of the illness.
The Isle of Wight has had the most confirmed scarlet fever cases, with 32 recorded for the week ending December 4.
Leeds then recorded the second most cases (22), followed by Allerdale in Cumbria (20), County Durham (18) and Liverpool (16).
Figures have increased by 14% this week alone, and has now reached five times the level normally seen this time of year, MailOnline reports.
Some 91 areas did not record a single case, with the majority of the South West unaffected.
However, not all cases of scarlet fever have been recorded, as not all children would have been diagnosed by a doctor.
Not all Strep A infections cause scarlet fever, but it gives a good indication of how the bacterial disease is spreading.
Stella-Lily McCorkindale, 5, was named as a victim after developing life-threatening complications to the usually mild infection, amid a rise in cases nationwide.
She became severely ill last week and was being treated at the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children.
The UKHSA has now confirmed 15 children under the age of 15 in the UK have died of the infection.
Strep A is a very common bacteria found in the throat and on the skin of people, many of whom will carry it without experiencing any symptoms.
Even those who are asymptomatic can pass it on to others through close contact – or it hides in an infected person’s nose and throat droplets.
The bacteria can cause mild illness, with symptoms including a long-lasting, sore, red scratchy throat – according to the NHS – as well as fever, headache and swollen lymph nodes (lumps) in the neck and under the jaw.
What is Strep A?
Strep A can cause a lot of different illnesses, but tends to start off with a few typical mild symptoms.
Strep throat is different from a regular sore throat and the pain can come on very quickly.
Symptoms include pain when swallowing, fever, and red and swollen tonsils – sometimes with white patches or streaks of pus.
The NHS recommends people see their GP if a sore throat does not improve after a week, if they are worried or if they have a high temperature, or feel hot and shivery, which is the sign of a more serious infection.
People with weakened immune systems such as those having chemotherapy should also see a doctor.
Impetigo is a skin infection which starts with red sores or blisters that then burst, leaving crusty, golden patches. The infection can be treated with antibiotics.
Scarlet fever symptoms are often flu-like, including a high temperature, a sore throat and swollen neck glands.
A rash appears 12 to 48 hours later, starting on the chest and stomach and then spreading.
A white coating also appears on the tongue which peels, leaving the tongue red, swollen and covered in little bumps (often called ‘strawberry tongue’).
Signs of necrotising fasciitis include fever (a high temperature above 38°C), severe pain and swelling, and redness at the wound site.
Early signs and symptoms of toxic shock may include fever, dizziness, confusion, low blood pressure, rash and abdominal pain.
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