Group A streptococcal infections: update on seasonal activity, 2007/08

Notifications of scarlet fever in England have shown an unusual persistence of activity this season, with reports for weeks 13-20 considerably higher than seen over the past four years. Routine laboratory reports of group A (Streptococcus pyogenes) streptococcal bacteraemia received so far for 2008 continue to show no unusual activity compared to the last five years, although numbers are increased over reports made for last year. The number of invasive isolate referrals received by the Respiratory and Systemic Infection Laboratory has similarly increased compared to 2007. Scarlet fever The increased notifications of scarlet fever in England previously noted for weeks 9 to 12 of 2008 have continued to remain at a high level [1], with notifications for weeks 13-20 considerably higher than seen in the past four years: 789... [read full story]