In Barbados, a high-level team of health and education officials have moved to address growing concerns at Hillaby Turner’s Hall Primary School after a number of students reported symptoms consistent with scarlet fever.
According to Barbados Today, Chief Medical Officer, Dr Kenneth George, said 13 cases have been investigated after students presented with symptoms such as rash, fever and sore throat.
However, lab testing revealed that only one case was positive for Group A Streptococcus, the bacterium responsible for scarlet fever.
Dr George also responded to the concerns raised by staff, assuring them that they were not at increased risk but encouraged them to remain vigilant.
According to the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, scarlet fever is more common in children than adults and can be treated with antibiotics.
