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For the period February 10-16, 86 patients with scarlet fever were registered in Varna compared to 30 for the previous period, according to the data of the Regional Health Inspection.

From the beginning of the year to the present, the cases for the municipality and the district are over 150 to one for the same period of 2022.

The cases of scarlet fever in Varna have been growing at a particularly fast pace in recent weeks. 

A terrible Balkan flu is raging in our country

For the country, the cases for the same time frame are over 1,400. They are 1,300 more than in the first six weeks of last year, a review of the data of the National Center for Infectious and Parasitic Diseases showed.

The reason for the increased morbidity also applies to all other types of infections that are transmitted by airborne droplets.

Strict anti-epidemic measures, as observed in recent years due to COVID-19, are no longer applied.

The cancellation of the most important measure "wearing a protective face mask" gives a chance for easy spread and intensive onset of various airborne infections with bacterial and viral pathogens.

"Children in kindergartens and primary school classes are most affected by scarlet fever," commented the Director of the Regional Health Inspection Prof. Tsonko Paunov for Moreto.net.

In educational and children's institutions, the measures under the Regulations for preventing the spread of similar infections are observed.

Disinfection of premises and surfaces is carried out, a filter is carried out by a medical person, including a throat examination, follow-up for the appearance of a rash and other characteristic symptoms during the quarantine period.

Sick children are not accepted.

10% of patients with scarlet fever develop complications such as endocarditis, glomerulonephritis or rheumatoid diseases, Prof. Paunov pointed out.

They usually develop at a later stage after the illness itself.

This is the reason why monitoring and follow-up by GPs is required within a month of becoming ill.

In scarlet fever, a person can be a carrier of streptococci (bacteria) without showing any symptoms.

It is believed that he may also be infected, but to a lesser extent than the symptomatic individual.

There are microbiological tests that can detect the presence of Streptococcus pyogenes.

Some time ago, they were applied compulsorily when an outbreak of the disease was established.

Quarantine is now imposed on a group in a kindergarten where a case of scarlet fever has been identified.

After that, within a week, all contacts are actively monitored for symptoms on a daily basis.

Scarlet fever

Varna