Giuseppe
Emeritus
[Fonte: Government of Hong Kong PRC SAR, full text: (LINK).]
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Update on scarlet fever in Hong Kong
27 June 2011
The Scientific Committee (SC) on Emerging and Zoonotic Diseases and the Scientific Committee on Advanced Data Analysis and Disease Modelling under the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) held a joint meeting today (June 27) to review and discuss the upsurge of scarlet fever (SF) in Hong Kong.
The SCs made a number of observations.
The overall epidemiological and clinical characteristics of SF cases in this outbreak resemble those in the past, although infrequently some cases may have atypical clinical presentation.
The case fatality rate so far is not significantly higher than historical or international figures.
High SF activity will probably persist for a period of time into the summer.
The underlying reasons for the SF upsurge are being examined.
The contribution of new Group A Streptococcus (GAS) clone(s) with altered genetic characteristics causing this outbreak remains to be further investigated.
For patients with suspected SF, the penicillin group of antibiotics is the treatment of choice and should be given for at least 10 days. Judicious use of antibiotics is important in preventing the development of bacterial resistance.
Microbiological testing by antigen testing and culture should be considered to guide antimicrobial therapy.
Patients with only runny nose without fever should not be considered for antimicrobial therapy unless the clinical condition changes or the microbiological test is positive for GAS.
To prepare for SF in the upcoming summer holidays, the Controller of the CHP of the DH, Dr Thomas Tsang, also chaired an interdepartmental meeting today. Participants included representatives of the Social Welfare Department, the Education Bureau, the Home Affairs Department, the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department, the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, the Information Services Department and the Hospital Authority (HA).
Speaking after the meeting, Dr Tsang said that the CHP and the HA have stepped up surveillance of SF patients as well as those with other serious and invasive forms of infection admitted to Intensive Care Units caused by GAS. Resources are being allocated to conduct more laboratory tests on the bacteria.
On the publicity and education front, a new radio announcement in the public interest on SF is now on air. A daily update on the latest situation of SF is available on the CHP website (www.chp.gov.hk).
The CHP, the Social Welfare Department and the Education Bureau have been sending letters to childcare centres and schools detailing the measures to prevent SF. Ahead of the summer holidays, posters and leaflets will be distributed to various public venues with collaboration of Government departments present at the meeting. The CHP will continue to maintain close communications with healthcare professionals on the latest epidemiology and information pertaining to clinical diagnosis and management of SF patients.
The full statement by the joint SC meeting is available at the CHP website (LINK).
-27 June 2011
The Scientific Committee (SC) on Emerging and Zoonotic Diseases and the Scientific Committee on Advanced Data Analysis and Disease Modelling under the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) held a joint meeting today (June 27) to review and discuss the upsurge of scarlet fever (SF) in Hong Kong.
The SCs made a number of observations.
The overall epidemiological and clinical characteristics of SF cases in this outbreak resemble those in the past, although infrequently some cases may have atypical clinical presentation.
The case fatality rate so far is not significantly higher than historical or international figures.
High SF activity will probably persist for a period of time into the summer.
The underlying reasons for the SF upsurge are being examined.
The contribution of new Group A Streptococcus (GAS) clone(s) with altered genetic characteristics causing this outbreak remains to be further investigated.
For patients with suspected SF, the penicillin group of antibiotics is the treatment of choice and should be given for at least 10 days. Judicious use of antibiotics is important in preventing the development of bacterial resistance.
Microbiological testing by antigen testing and culture should be considered to guide antimicrobial therapy.
Patients with only runny nose without fever should not be considered for antimicrobial therapy unless the clinical condition changes or the microbiological test is positive for GAS.
To prepare for SF in the upcoming summer holidays, the Controller of the CHP of the DH, Dr Thomas Tsang, also chaired an interdepartmental meeting today. Participants included representatives of the Social Welfare Department, the Education Bureau, the Home Affairs Department, the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department, the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, the Information Services Department and the Hospital Authority (HA).
Speaking after the meeting, Dr Tsang said that the CHP and the HA have stepped up surveillance of SF patients as well as those with other serious and invasive forms of infection admitted to Intensive Care Units caused by GAS. Resources are being allocated to conduct more laboratory tests on the bacteria.
On the publicity and education front, a new radio announcement in the public interest on SF is now on air. A daily update on the latest situation of SF is available on the CHP website (www.chp.gov.hk).
The CHP, the Social Welfare Department and the Education Bureau have been sending letters to childcare centres and schools detailing the measures to prevent SF. Ahead of the summer holidays, posters and leaflets will be distributed to various public venues with collaboration of Government departments present at the meeting. The CHP will continue to maintain close communications with healthcare professionals on the latest epidemiology and information pertaining to clinical diagnosis and management of SF patients.
The full statement by the joint SC meeting is available at the CHP website (LINK).
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