Tuesday, April 18, 2023, 12:02 p.m
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Four children have died of scarlet fever since the beginning of the year in Switzerland PHOTO Archive
Four children died of scarlet fever in Switzerland, the number of infections increasing significantly recently, infectious disease doctors announce.
The number of infections of scarlet fever (stereptococcus pyogenes) has increased significantly in Switzerland in recent years. Between October 2022 and February 2023, 162 cases were registered
In 2019, only 41 cases of scarlet fever were reported and no deaths were recorded. The Swiss Pediatric Surveillance Unit analyzes data from 2021 and 2022.
Christoph Berger, chief physician at the University Hospital of BOYS from Zürich claims that the most affected by this virus are the little ones.
“The fact that four children died this year is tragic, but it can be explained by the increase in the number of infections. If there are more cases, unfortunately the probability of severe evolution increases”, explained Berger.
According to the doctor, many of the cases appeared due to the large number of infections with Flu or chicken pox.
“This connection has been known for a long time, but after the Covid-19 pandemic there has been an increase in infections with these viruses,” added Berger.
The head doctor at the Children’s Hospital in Zurich advises parents to contact their pediatrician if they suspect that their children are infected with the streptococcus pyogenes virus. Severe infections with this virus are treated with antibiotics and specialist intervention is needed.
Yvonne Gilli, president of the Swiss Medical Association, points out that deaths are often linked to previous illnesses not properly treated or immune deficiency. In addition, it states that it is very important that specialists and nursing staff in hospitals are informed about the current wave of scarlet fever.
“This is the only way cases can be recognized early and patients at risk can be protected”, Gilli pointed out, accordingly roelvetia.ch
Scarlet fever is a bacterial infection caused by certain types of streptococcus. The bacteria can be found on the skin, throat and nose in general. The main symptoms of the disease are: fever, acute tonsillitis (red throat), small red spots, headache, chills, vomiting and red cheeks.
