DoH: Scarlet fever no threat

Health officials have allayed fears of an outbreak of scarlet fever in the country following an epidemic in neighboring Hong Kong, saying the chances of an “international spread” was low at this time.

The symptoms of scarlet fever are easily recognizable so spotting sick people, particularly travelers in airports, is also easy, according to Dr. Eric Tayag, health assistant secretary and head of the National Epidemiology Center.

People with scarlet fever typically have high fever, sore throat, a fine and bright red skin rash and a strawberry-colored tongue, according to the Department of Health (DoH). The rashes appear as tiny red bumps that last for about 2-7 days, it added.

Hong Kong authorities last week declared an outbreak of scarlet fever after monitoring 466 cases this year alone. Two children—a seven-year-old girl and a five-year-old boy—were among the first patients to die of the illness in Hong Kong in at least the last decade.

Scarlet fever is a disease caused by a bacteria called group A Streptococcus, the same microorganism that causes strep throat. Transmission of the disease usually occurs by direct contact with the saliva or mucus of an infected person.

“The best way to keep from getting sick is to wash your hands often and avoid sharing utensils,” advised the DoH.

While the outbreak of the disease that has swept Hong Kong should be a “cause for concern” since it involves antibiotic resistant strains, it should not cause undue public alarm, said Tayag.

He said the outbreak was less likely to reach the Philippines. “(I)t is a childhood illness that is easily recognizable due to characteristic skin rash, which easily leads to home or hospital confinement, thereby limiting its spread—though it is highly contagious,” Tayag told reporters.

In a briefing last week, Tayag said the health agency was monitoring developments in Hong Kong.

So far, the DOH has not seen the need for the government to issue travel restrictions to the southern Chinese city.

But Tayag strictly advised pediatricians to immediately report to the agency any suspected cases of scarlet fever, “so we can investigate if these are linked to the Hong Kong epidemic.”