Public assured over 'scarlet fever'

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Public assured over 'scarlet fever'
The Nation 2011-06-24

Thai health authorities are trying to prevent public panic over scarlet fever, which recently claimed two lives in Hong Kong.

"This disease has never caused deaths in Thailand," Public Health Ministry permanent secretary Dr Paijit Warachit said yesterday.

This year 524 people around the country have caught scarlet fever but all have fully recovered, he said. Children between two and 14 years old accounted for the largest number of patients.

Paijit said he had instructed provincial public health offices to pay special attention to schools and nurseries.

"Toys and items there should be cleaned every day," he said. He added that children with high fever must be separated from others and sent to doctors.

Scarlet fever is a communicable disease transmitted by contact with infected people's saliva, nasal mucus and phlegm.

Disease Control Department deputy directorgeneral Dr Suwanchai Wattanayingcharoenchai said scarlet fever also resulted in a rash, which develops after one or two days.

"The red rash appears first on the torso and neck before spreading to the limbs, armpits and groin," he said.

He said the rash usually disappeared within one week, after which the skin may peel.

However, some patients develop complications such as ear and kidney infections, he said.

"It's not a serious disease here and the incidence rate is not high," the department's spokesman Dr Rungrueng Kitphati said.