Cumbria England: A Rise in Cases of Scarlet Fever

A rise in the number of children developing scarlet fever has been recorded in Cumbria [England].

36 confirmed cases have been reported so far in 2014, but public health officials are concerned there may be more in the community as people may not recognise the symptoms.

Public Health England, working in partnership with Cumbria County Council, is advising parents to be aware of the signs of scarlet fever, after a rise in cases in children. Kate Brierley, of Public Health England's Cumbria & Lancashire Health Protection Team, said: "We tend to see more cases in winter, but this year [2014] seems to have seen an increase in cases in a relatively short space of time. As it's a very contagious disease, we'd urge parents with children that are showing symptoms to see their GP and obtain treatment. Most mild cases of scarlet fever will clear up on their own, but having treatment for the illness speeds recovery and reduces the risk of complications."

Scarlet Fever is a highly infectious disease caused by the bacteria [_Streptococcus pyogenes_ or Group A streptococci], often found in the throat and on the skin. It is spread by coughing and sneezing and is characterised by a rash, which usually accompanies a sore throat. The bacteria which cause the infection produce toxins which cause a rash, a red and swollen tongue and flushed cheeks. Other symptoms include a high fever, swollen glands in the neck and feeling tired and unwell.

Dr Rebecca Wagstaff, acting Director of Public Health at Cumbria County Council, said: "Between 2000 and 4000 cases of scarlet fever are diagnosed each year in England. Children with scarlet fever should be kept off school for 24 hours after the start of treatment and, during that time, be kept away from other children as much as possible. To help prevent the spread of infection, all tissues and cloths that someone with scarlet fever has coughed or sneezed into should be washed or disposed of immediately. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water if you have touched any of these."

If you think you, or your child, has scarlet fever: See your family doctor as soon as possible. Make sure that you/your child takes the full course of any antibiotics prescribed by the doctor. Current guidance advises that children should not return to nursery or school and adults to work until a minimum of 24 hours after starting treatment to avoid spreading infection. You can help stop the spread of infection through frequent hand washing and by not sharing eating utensils, clothes, bedding and towels, and all contaminated tissues or handkerchiefs should be washed or disposed of immediately.
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Walsh Salmonella Outbreak Spreads To England

There are 57 confirmed cases , 36 of them in England. They range in age from seven-month-old baby to 87 years old.. Nine people have been treated in the hospital.

The new clusters in England include West Yorkshire, Thames Valley, Cumbria and Lancashire.

Experts from Public Health Wales (PHW) have been working with Public Health England, the Food Standards Agency and environmental health officers to find possible links between the cases and trace the source of the outbreak, after it was initially reported last month.

The suppliers have still not been traced but the link to cooked ham is common in the cases so far. They have tested a number of butchers who supplied hams but no trace of salmonella was found. Other hygiene issues were identified that led to one supplier voluntarily withdrawing certain batches of ham.

"Although it is an unpleasant illness, people who become ill with salmonella generally make a full recovery." Last month, five of the 22 people from north-west Wales, including children, were hospitalised but have since been allowed home.

The outbreak began in mid-July, with public health officials saying it was not concentrated on one particular town or locality. Health officials say 22 cases have been confirmed with the same unique strain but they have yet to find a common link.

Dr Bob Adak, head of the gastrointestinal diseases department at PHE, added: "Investigating outbreaks of foodborne illness is a complex process as people have to try and remember what they ate some weeks prior to becoming ill.

"In this instance many reported eating cooked meats. The FSA is following all possible leads along with Environmental Health to try and establish the source of the outbreak. This process is ongoing"

Great Britain: 70 People Sick From Diarrhetic Shellfish Poisoning

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) said the naturally-occurring toxins can cause acute food poisoning. The move came after about 70 people in south-east England reported symptoms of diarrhetic shellfish poisoning.The cases have been linked to the eating of mussels from Shetland.Islands

Diarrhetic shellfish poisoning causes diarrhea, although nausea, vomiting and cramps are all common, too. The symptoms usually start within about half an hour of ingesting infected shellfish, and last for about one day. The disease is not fatal.

The FSA recorded the high levels of toxins during its weekly monitoring programme. According to the FSA, the toxins are produced by marine phytoplankton and levels are typically higher in summer.

A total of 11 harvesting areas in waters to the north and west of the islands have been shut by Shetland Islands Council and businesses operating in the remaining nine areas have decided to voluntarily stop commercial harvesting.

Maggie Sandison, executive manager of environmental health at Shetland Islands Council, said: "This year we've seen an unprecedented amount of toxin and the levels have increased from one week to another higher than we've ever seen before."

Shetland Mussels, which supplied the affected shellfish, has told the FSA that all of their customers have been contacted and all mussels from that batch have been consumed or disposed of.

Shetland Mussels managing director Michael Tait said: "This is the first time that we have experienced a problem with customer illness in our 16 years of production.

Shetland Mussels is SALSA (Safe And Local Supplier Approved) approved with full traceability, which has allowed us to isolate the affected batches, and this system has worked well in this situation.A voluntary withdrawal of all Shetland mussels from the market has been undertaken until the current high levels of toxins in the water has subsided

The recent warmer temperatures have led to an unprecedented level and increase of algal blooms the water has subsided

The FSA said mussels were supplied to a number of restaurants, with customers reporting being unwell after eating at establishments across south east England.

Last month, members of the public were advised not to eat clams and mussels from two areas of Fife, after high levels of toxin were found in shellfish.

Fife Council said routine sampling found evidence of Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning, commonly known as PSP, in surf clams from Anstruther and Pittenweem.

The Shetland mussel industry is worth £5 million a year and employs 132 people at 24 sites across the isles. It produces 69 per cent of Scotland’s mussels and recently achieved accreditation for sustainability from the Marine Stewardship Council.