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Health fears increase as 'Victorian diseases' make a comeback

Previously though confined to the history books, the once deadly diseases are infecting people up and down the country

Rebecca Flood
Sunday 20 March 2016 13:17 GMT
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A single virus particle, or "virion," of measles
A single virus particle, or "virion," of measles

There are serious health fears as cases of scarlet fever and measles are making a worrying comeback.

Previously though confined to the history books, the once deadly illnesses are infecting people up and down the country.

Cases of scarlet fever, dubbed a Victorian disease, are at a 50-year high with more than 17,000 confirmed cases last year.

But in a worrying similarity, killer virus measles - which was also rampant in the 19th century - appears to be spreading once again.

Public Health England (PHE) warned there have been 20 confirmed cases of measles since the beginning of February this year, with London and the south-east hardest hit.

The majority of victims are aged between 14 - 40, and occur in people who have not been immunised.

Extremely rare nowadays, most people will have received the MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine which is behind its decline in the UK.

But last year there 91 cases in total confirmed in England, with PHE’s Dr Kevin Brown warning it could be the onset of an outbreak.

NHS figures estimate one in every 5,000 people will die as a result of the infection.

While scarlet fever is no longer the death sentence it once was thanks to modern medicine, thousands of children are being stuck down with the sickness.

It is unclear why it is making a comeback, but some experts claim it could be part of its ‘natural cycle’.

Most common in children under 10, health officials have warned parents to be on the look-out for tell-tale signs.

Initial symptoms usually include a sore throat, headache, flushed cheeks and a swollen tongue.

These are often accompanied by a fever of around 38c and above.

After a day or two the typical pinkish rash appears, usually on the stomach and chest first, before spreading to other areas such as the ears and neck.

The rash should feel rough, like sandpaper, and can be itchy.

People are advised to visit their GPs if they fear they or their children may have contracted it.

But if diagnosed, children and adults should stay at home and not go into work or school for at least 24 hours after starting treatment.

Although there although is no vaccine, if treated with antibiotics most people recover within around seven to 10 days.

People are also advised to ensure they are up to date with their MMR vaccine.

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