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"Scots increase in cases of ?slapped cheek? virus
Wednesday 17 April 2013
A FIVE-fold increase in cases of an illness which can cause severe complications for pregnant women has been reported in Scotland.
Health Protection Scotland (HPS) said cases of parvovirus B19 - more commonly known as ?slapped cheek? disease - were now significantly higher than at the same point in previous years.
The body warned health staff and the public to be aware of the increase due to the risks posed to pregnant women and others in at-risk groups.
Parvovirus is a common childhood illness and is usually mild, causing a fever and a bright red rash on the cheeks, leading to its ?slapped cheek? label.
...The figures showed there were 116 lab confirmed cases of parvovirus in the first 12 weeks of this year, including 66 in women of child-bearing age - classed as between 17 and 44 years old.
This compared to 20 cases in total during the same period last year, including 12 in women aged 17-44.
This year cases of parvovirus are more than five times higher than the average for the first 12 weeks in the previous five years.
Increases in the illness are seen on a three to four year cycle in the UK, with the last rise in cases in Scotland seen in 2009."
xhttp://www.scotsman.com/news/health/scots-increase-in-cases-of-slapped-cheek-virus-1-2899008
Wednesday 17 April 2013
A FIVE-fold increase in cases of an illness which can cause severe complications for pregnant women has been reported in Scotland.
Health Protection Scotland (HPS) said cases of parvovirus B19 - more commonly known as ?slapped cheek? disease - were now significantly higher than at the same point in previous years.
The body warned health staff and the public to be aware of the increase due to the risks posed to pregnant women and others in at-risk groups.
Parvovirus is a common childhood illness and is usually mild, causing a fever and a bright red rash on the cheeks, leading to its ?slapped cheek? label.
...The figures showed there were 116 lab confirmed cases of parvovirus in the first 12 weeks of this year, including 66 in women of child-bearing age - classed as between 17 and 44 years old.
This compared to 20 cases in total during the same period last year, including 12 in women aged 17-44.
This year cases of parvovirus are more than five times higher than the average for the first 12 weeks in the previous five years.
Increases in the illness are seen on a three to four year cycle in the UK, with the last rise in cases in Scotland seen in 2009."
xhttp://www.scotsman.com/news/health/scots-increase-in-cases-of-slapped-cheek-virus-1-2899008
