The Health Bureau urges members of the public to maintain strict personal hygiene and environmental cleanliness in order to guard against the risk of contracting scarlet fever.
The Bureau urges parents, schools and kindergartens to pay close attention to this issue, as the disease mostly affects children under 10 years of age.
As of 13 December, Macao had recorded in total 402 cases of scarlet fever; a slight increase from last year’s 386 cases. Around 89 percent of those infected this year were in the three to eight years of age grouping.
So far, there has been neither a severe case recorded locally, nor a fatality. Likewise, there has been no sign of a community outbreak of scarlet fever infection in Macao.
Symptoms of scarlet fever include: fever, sore throat, and a characteristic ("strawberry"-like) colouration on the tongue. Additionally a rash might develop across the neck, chest, armpits, elbows, groin and inner thigh areas of the infected person.
There is no vaccine available against scarlet fever. Members of public are advised to take the following measures in order to minimise risk of infection:
- Always keep hands clean; disinfect hands with alcohol and wash them with liquid soap before touching the eyes, nose, and mouth;
- Cover nose and mouth while sneezing or coughing and properly dispose of any nasal or mouth fluid discharges;
- Avoid sharing towels with others;
- Avoid touching patients diagnosed with scarlet fever;
- Wear masks when respiratory symptoms such as fever and cough develop, and seek medical treatment immediately;
- Anyone suffering from scarlet fever should refrain from attending school or work;
- Maintain good indoor ventilation; and
- Disinfect toys, furniture, floors and other places with frequent human contact at least once a day.