A SECONDARY school in Herefordshire has said there have been a number of scarlet fever cases found.
Kingstone High School, west of Hereford, said there had been cases of scarlet fever within the school, and wrote a letter to parents and carers to warn their child, or children, might have been exposed.
While it did not say how many cases had been found, latest information from the UK Health Security Agency said there had been 14 cases found in Herefordshire over the past four weeks.
Executive headteacher David Bennett said scarlet fever is linked to strep A, which has so far contributed to the deaths of nine children in the UK over recent weeks.
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The school, which has around 600 pupils aged between 11 and 16, said scarlet fever is a scattered red rash and high temperatures caused by bacteria. It follows Marlbrook Primary School, in Red Hill, Hereford, in writing to parents warning them of the fever being found.
Prompt treatment with an antibiotic usually prevents further complications and will also prevent the spread to others.
It is normally uncommon in the UK nowadays, they said, but this winter has seen increases.
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Scarlet fever is also known as Scarlatina, although this often refers to a milder form of the disease. It usually follows a sore throat or a skin infection (impetigo) caused by particular strains of streptococcus bacteria.
Mr Bennett said scarlet fever is very infectious and can easily spread to other people.
He added that a child can return to school when well, but only after at least 24 hours of antibiotic treatment or 14 days after the onset of symptoms.
He said that scarlet fever is caused by bacteria called group A streptococci.
These bacteria also cause other respiratory and skin infections such as strep throat and impetigo.
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In very rare occasions, the bacteria can get into the bloodstream and cause an illness called invasive Group A strep (iGAS).
While still uncommon, there has been an increase in invasive Group A strep cases this year, particularly in children under 10.
To prevent scarlet fever from spreading, the first aiders said children should wash their hands thoroughly regularly, and any shared plates and dishes should also be washed thoroughly.
Items such as cups, straws, spoons, eating utensils and toothbrushes should also not be shared.
Scarlet fever cases in Herefordshire
Data released by the UKHSA has revealed how many cases of scarlet fever have been reported in Herefordshire.
In the last month, from November 7 to December 4, there has been a total of 14 cases, with 23 in neighbouring Worcestershire.
Six of these cases came in the last week.
Week ending December 4: six cases
Week ending November 27: five cases
Week ending November 20: three cases
Week ending November 13: no cases
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