Scarlet fever and streptococcal infection

Dear Parents/Carers -

Download the letter Y Dwymyn Goch Scarlet Fever letter

Increase in scarlet fever and invasive streptococcal disease in 2022

As this subject has been in the national media over recent weeks, we have issued guidance to all schools based on advice from Public Health Wales and enclose some key information for you.

Signs and symptoms of scarlet fever

Scarlet fever, sometimes called scarlatina, is an infectious disease caused by group A streptococcus (GAS) bacteria (also known as Streptococcus pyogenes). It is highly infectious and can be caught through direct contact with an infected person or through the air via droplets from coughs or sneezes.

The characteristic symptom of scarlet fever is a widespread, fine pink-red rash that feels like sandpaper to touch. Other symptoms include a high temperature, a flushed face and a red, swollen tongue. Treatment is straightforward and usually involves a course of penicillin antibiotics.

Complications of scarlet fever and streptococcal infection

Most cases of scarlet fever cause no complications, especially if the condition is properly treated. However, complications in the early stages of the disease can include ear infection, throat abscess, sinusitis, pneumonia and meningitis. Very rare complications include rheumatic fever, kidney damage, liver damage, bone infection, blood poisoning and toxic shock syndrome which can be life-threatening.

As the media have reported, there has been an increase in severe disease caused by this bacterium (invasive group A streptococcal infections) in late 2022, including some fatal cases in children. Invasive disease may occur without a person having had scarlet fever or sore throat first. Early signs of invasive disease include high fever, severe muscle aches, local muscle tenderness, or redness at the site of a wound. If there are any concerns about invasive disease, then urgent medical advice must be sought.

  • • Schools and settings will be following the recommendations outlined by PHW, as per guidance below:
  • • Staff will be aware of the possibility of this infection in children who become ill with a fever, sore throat or rash
  • • Parents of unwell children will be advised to seek medical advice for diagnosis and treatment
  • • A person with scarlet fever should withdraw from schools/setting for 24 hours after the commencement of appropriate antibiotic treatment
  • • Where there are 2 or more cases of scarlet fever in a setting/school
  • within the same 10-day period, schools/settings will inform PHW
  • • Good hand hygiene and avoidance of spread of respiratory secretions (as per influenza- “catch it, bin it, kill it”) can help to prevent the spread of infection

I hope that this provides reassurance that there is a consistent message amongst schools / settings and that the information above supports you, as parents/carers of the appropriate action to take should your child have symptoms or a diagnosis of scarlet fever or streptococcal infection.

Further details can be found at Scarlet Fever - Public Health Wales (nhs.wales)

Increase in scarlet fever and invasive streptococcal disease in 2022

Download the letter from Public Health Wales - 29112022 GAS Letter Schools and Nurseries

 

We are writing to inform you of a recent increase in notifications of scarlet fever and invasive streptococcal disease. There were 1,512 notifications of scarlet fever in the first 47 weeks of 2022, compared to 948 in the same period in 2019. There were lower numbers of scarlet fever notifications across 2020 and 2021 (likely due to changes in transmission and behaviour during this period).

We are notifying schools and nurseries as this infection mostly affects children aged under 10 years, and so outbreaks can occur in schools and nurseries. Older children are also susceptible to streptococcal sore throats but may not have the rash of scarlet fever.

Signs and symptoms of scarlet fever

Scarlet fever, sometimes called scarlatina, is an infectious disease caused by group A streptococcus (GAS) bacteria (also known as Streptococcus pyogenes).

It is highly infectious and can be caught through direct contact with an infected person or through the air via droplets from coughs or sneezes.

The characteristic symptom of scarlet fever is a widespread, fine pink-red rash that feels like sandpaper to touch. Other symptoms include a high temperature, a flushed face and a red, swollen tongue.

Treatment is straightforward and usually involves a course of penicillin antibiotics.

Complications of scarlet fever and streptococcal infection

Most cases of scarlet fever cause no complications, especially if the condition is properly treated. However, complications in the early stages of the disease can include ear infection, throat abscess, sinusitis, pneumonia and meningitis.

Very rare complications include rheumatic fever, kidney damage, liver damage, bone infection, blood poisoning and toxic shock syndrome which can be life-threatening.

There has been an increase in severe disease caused by this bacterium (invasive group A streptococcal infections) in late 2022, including some fatal cases in children. Invasive disease may occur without a person having had scarlet fever or sore throat first. Early signs of invasive disease include: high fever, severe muscle aches, local muscle tenderness, or redness at the site of a wound. If there are any concerns about invasive disease, then urgent medical advice must be sought.

Recommended actions

  • • Staff should be aware of the possibility of this infection in children who become ill with a fever, sore throat or rash
  • • Parents of unwell children should be advised to seek medical advice for diagnosis and treatment
  • A person with scarlet fever should withdraw from your setting for 24 hours after the commencement of appropriate antibiotic treatment
  • • Where there are 2 or more cases of scarlet fever in your setting within the same 10-day period, please notify the Health Protection Team on 0300 00 300 32 for further guidance
  • • Scarlet fever circulating at the same time as chickenpox or influenza can increase the risk of invasive disease - please report this to the Health Protection Team as above
  • • Good hand hygiene and avoidance of spread of respiratory secretions (as per influenza- “catch it, bin it, kill it”) can help to prevent the spread of infection

Many thanks for your assistance.

Yours sincerely,

Dr Rhianwen Stiff

Consultant in Communicable Disease Control

Source of advice:

NHS 111 Wales scarlet fever webpage https://111.wales.nhs.uk/encyclopaedia/s/article/scarletfever

World Cup Football – Wales vs Iran

Dear Parents and Carers
To mark the terrific achievement of Wales being part of the World Cup for the first time in 60 years, Prestatyn High School would like to give all pupils and students the opportunity to watch the televised Wales vs Iran fixture live in school.
The game will kick off at 10am and last approximately 2 hours. This means normal lessons will be suspended for periods 2 & 3. Normal lessons will take place periods 1, 4 & 5. Break time for the whole school will be at halftime of the game.
Any pupils not wishing to watch the Wales World Cup match will be given the opportunity to complete appropriate work in a supervised classroom/computer room. Pupils must inform their form tutor by the 24th November if they do not wish to watch the match.
Each year group will watch the game in a different venue around the school. Further details of this will be shared with your son/daughter nearer the time.
Pupils and students will be allowed to wear Welsh Football or Rugby tops for the day to show their support for our amazing national team. If pupils are not wearing a Welsh national top then normal school uniform rules will apply. Pupils may also wish to bring in snacks and refreshments and these can be consumed during the game. All pupils will be reminded that all litter and rubbish must be placed in a bin to keep the school tidy and also allow us to do this type of event again in the future.
I do hope all pupils join us in watching our national team play in the World Cup.
Best wishes and “Come On Wales!”
Yours sincerely
Neil Foley - B.Sc. MA.
Pennaeth Headteacher

Children in Need 2022

As you may already know, Friday 18th November is this year’s BBC Children in Need Day. We are excited to be joining in with others around the UK to participate in fundraising for this good cause. Children in Need raises awareness about the lives of disadvantaged children across the whole of the UK and the community groups and organisations that can help to support them.

At Prestatyn High School, we feel that the best way we can support the event is for students to accessorise their school uniform with something spotty, pupils can also bring in their favourite teddy. A suggested donation of £1 should be made via ParentPay if your child would like to participate.

We will also be holding a cake sale at break time on Friday, all proceeds will go to Children in Need.

We look forward to your child helping us to make a memorable event that raises as much money as possible. Thank you for your continued support.