Two kids in Hong Kong, a 5-year-old boy and a 7-year-old girl are believed to be died from a mutated form of scarlet fever - a streptococcal disease characterized by sore throat, fever, bright red tongue with a “strawberry” appearance and a rash that generally starts on the chest, armpits, and behind the ears. It's most common in children under 10.
Medical authorities in Hong Kong are now investigating whether the two cases had the same strains of scarlet fever that is more resistant to antibiotics.
Hong Kong has had 466 reported cases of scarlet fever so far this year, about double the annual total.
The Hong Kong government has already declared an outbreak of the disease called “Scarlet Fever.” The said illness usually afffects children 10 years old and below.
In the Philippines, the Department of Health (DOH) is now reminding pediatricians in the country to be on alert for scarlet fever.
“Para sa mga pedia, inaabisuhan namin sila na mag-report agad kung kayo po ay tumitingin ng 10 taong gulang pababa na may sintomas ng scarlet fever,” said Dr. Eric Tayag, director of the DOH’s National Epidemiology Center.
No case of Scarlet Fever has yet to be reported in the country.
Medical authorities in Hong Kong are now investigating whether the two cases had the same strains of scarlet fever that is more resistant to antibiotics.
Hong Kong has had 466 reported cases of scarlet fever so far this year, about double the annual total.
The Hong Kong government has already declared an outbreak of the disease called “Scarlet Fever.” The said illness usually afffects children 10 years old and below.
In the Philippines, the Department of Health (DOH) is now reminding pediatricians in the country to be on alert for scarlet fever.
“Para sa mga pedia, inaabisuhan namin sila na mag-report agad kung kayo po ay tumitingin ng 10 taong gulang pababa na may sintomas ng scarlet fever,” said Dr. Eric Tayag, director of the DOH’s National Epidemiology Center.
No case of Scarlet Fever has yet to be reported in the country.
