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Friday 9th December 2022
Dear Families,
Co-circulating flu, scarlet fever and chicken pox
We have been informed that a number of children who attend our school and nursery have been diagnosed with suspected/confirmed scarlet fever, influenza and chicken pox. Attendance at school has been especially low this week with over 40 children off each day across the school with symptoms described below.
Influenza
Most children will have a mild illness and will recover at home without needing treatment. Children with flu-like symptoms: fever (38°C or greater), cough, sore throat, runny nose, or headache, should stay off school until they are free of symptoms. You will find more information here.
Scarlet fever
The symptoms of scarlet fever include a sore throat, headache, fever, nausea and vomiting. This is followed by a fine red rash which typically first appears on the chest and stomach, rapidly spreading to other parts of the body. On more darkly-pigmented skin, the scarlet rash may be harder to spot, but it should feel like ‘sandpaper’. The face can be flushed red but pale around the mouth. If you think that you, or your child, have scarlet fever, see your GP or contact NHS 111 as soon as possible. You will find more information here.
Chickenpox
Chickenpox is common and mostly affects children, but you can get it at any age. It usually gets better by itself after 1 or 2 weeks without needing to see a GP. An itchy, spotty rash is the main symptom of chicken pox. It can be anywhere on the body. You will find more information here.
Where these conditions are circulating at the same time, there is an increased risk of more serious infection. We are therefore liaising closely with UKHSA and the local health protection teams to ensure that we are doing everything possible to keep our community as safe and healthy as possible.
In line with their advice, we have swiftly reintroduced enhanced cleaning practices, regular handwashing and revisited the importance of catch it, bin it, kill it with your children. Given that we more children and families are reporting cases of all the medical conditions outlined above, we will be implementing additional health protection measures.
Christmas events
To minimise the spread of illness, we have been advised to reduce the number of people coming into school and postpone visits elsewhere. The reception, year 1 and year 2 performances will therefore be filmed and shared with you electronically.
Whilst we would much prefer you to be able to enjoy them in person, it is our hope that you will be able to treasure the recordings for years to come. Please be assured that staff will strategically film performances so that children who are not allowed to be filmed/photographed will not appear in the final product.
We aim to have groups of children singing outside for you whilst you pick you children at home time, but will postpone the social gathering that we had planned for Thursday 15th December. The PTFA will organise an event early in the new year.
Thank you for your support in these unexpected times. A great deal of thought and consideration has contributed to our management of this outbreak. We have been in daily contact with UKHSA and Local Health Protection Teams and are acting upon their specific advice. We wish everyone who is feeling unwell a speedy recovery so that everyone can enjoy and Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
Yours truly,
Alison Godfrey
Headteacher
Dear Families in Rec, Yr1 & Yr2,
We are very sorry to inform you that UKHSA have advised us to postpone community events for the time being. This is due to the number of cases of scarlet fever and other illnesses that are circulating in school.
The phonics session that was scheduled for this afternoon will now take place 12th Jan at 2.30pm.
We are taking further advice on whether the Christmas performances can go ahead with live audiences next week. We will update you as soon as possible.
Yours truly,
Alison Godfrey
Wednesday 7th December 2022
Dear Families,
We have been informed that a small number of children who attend Dunalley school and nursery have been diagnosed with suspected and confirmed scarlet fever.
Although scarlet fever is usually a mild illness, it should be treated with antibiotics to minimise the risk of complications and reduce the spread to others.
The symptoms of scarlet fever include a sore throat, headache, fever, nausea and vomiting. This is followed by a fine red rash which typically first appears on the chest and stomach, rapidly spreading to other parts of the body. On more darkly-pigmented skin, the scarlet rash may be harder to spot, but it should feel like 'sandpaper'. The face can be flushed red but pale around the mouth.
If you think you, or your child, have scarlet fever:
- see your GP or contact NHS 111 as soon as possible
- make sure that you/your child takes the full course of any antibiotics prescribed by the doctor
- stay at home, away from nursery, school or work for at least 24 hours after starting the antibiotic treatment, to avoid spreading the infection.
Children who have had chickenpox recently are more likely to develop more serious infection during an outbreak of scarlet fever and so parents should remain vigilant for symptoms such as a persistent high fever, cellulitis (skin infection) and arthritis (joint pain and swelling). If you are concerned for any reason please seek medical assistance immediately.
If your child has an underlying condition which affects their immune system, you should contact your GP or hospital doctor to discuss whether any additional measures are needed.
You can find more information in the guidance Scarlet fever: symptoms, diagnosis and treatment.
Please be assured that we are following UKSHA guidelines for schools and nurseries in order to manage the situation. We have swiftly reintroduced enhanced cleaning practices and regular handwashing and revisited the importance of catch it, bin it, kill it with your children.
Yours tuly,
Alison Godfrey
Headteacher
We have had cases of scarlet fever and chicken pox reported by families in the last 3 weeks. Due this we have had to report the cases and in return have received the following information from UK Health Security Agency. If you believe your child may have Scarlet Fever please keep them at home, contact your doctor and inform school.
See a GP if you or your child:
- have scarlet fever symptoms
- do not get better in a week (after seeing a GP)
- have scarlet fever and chickenpox at the same time
- are ill again, weeks after scarlet fever got better – this can be a sign of a complication, such as rheumatic fever
- are feeling unwell and have been in contact with someone who has scarlet fever
Scarlet fever is very easily spread. Check with a GP before you go in. They may suggest a phone consultation.
What the illnesses look like:
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Scarlet Fever
You can get more information here: [http://Scarlet%20fever%20-%20NHS%20(www.nhs.uk)]Scarlet fever - NHS (www.nhs.uk) |
Symptoms include sore throat, headache, fever, feeling sick and vomiting. After 12-48 hours – the red rash with pinhead spots can develop. The spots can appear on the chest and stomach and may spread across the body. The skin may feel like sandpaper. You may also see a strawberry tongue and flushed cheeks. Anyone with suspected symptoms should speak to their GP. Antibiotics are usually issued.
Children need to stay off for 24 hours after starting antibiotics. If antibiotics are not prescribed by the GP children will need to stay away from your setting for 2-3 weeks as they may still be infectious.
Cases who are still infectious (e.g. within first 24 hours of antibiotics or until fully recovered if antibiotics not taken) should avoid people in vulnerable groups. This includes people with chronic illness such as cancer or diabetes, who are immunocompromised, or who have had very recent influenza or chicken-pox infection. All suspected cases of scarlet fever should seek medical care, either via NHS 111 or their GP. |
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Chickenpox
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Chickenpox causes a rash of red itchy spots that become fluid filled blisters. These will crust over to form scabs. Those with symptoms cannot come into your setting until all the spots have crusted over (which is usually around 5 days). Do not give anyone with chickenpox ibuprofen or aspirin. |
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Impetigo
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Impetigo is a skin infection. It will start with red sores or blisters. These will burst quickly and leave crusty, golden-brown patches.
Anyone with signs of impetigo should speak to their GP. They should stay at home for two days (48 hours) after starting antibiotic treatment or until all lesions have crusted over / healed. |
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Hand, foot and mouth |
The disease is self-limiting and more common in summer and early autumn, mainly in children under ten years of age, but adult cases are not unusual. The disease frequently occurs in outbreaks in groups of children, in a nursery school for example.
Cases may develop a fever, reduced appetite and generally feel unwell. 1-2 days later a rash may develop with blisters, on hands, feet, insides of their cheeks, gums and on the sides of the tongue. Not all cases have symptoms. The incubation period is 3 to 5 days. Persons affected are most infectious during the first week of the illness.
The virus is spread by direct contact with nasal and throat secretions or faeces of the infected person. For example through: • • Coughing and sneezing. • • Hands contaminated from secretions which, if not washed thoroughly may transmit infection.
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Other useful information from the UK Health Security Agency:
1_Scarlet_Fever_and_Chicken_Pox_co_circulating_to_parents_May_2022_1_.pdf
Scarlet_fever_symptoms_diagnosis_and_treatment_1_.pdf
ChickenPox_ScarletFever_FAQs_1_002_.pdf
WHAT THE ILLNESSES LOOK LIKE:
Please remember that there are lots of viruses that cause sore throats, rashes, colds and coughs circulating at the moment. Many of these are mild and self-limiting and do not need any medical intervention.
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Scarlet Fever
You can get more information here: [https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/scarlet-fever/ (www.nhs.uk)]Scarlet fever - NHS (www.nhs.uk) |
Usually a mild illness with non specific symptoms including sore throat, headache, fever, feeling sick and vomiting. After 12-48 hours – the red rash with pinhead spots can develop. The spots can appear on the chest and stomach and may spread across the body. The skin may feel like sandpaper. You may also see a strawberry tongue and flushed cheeks. Anyone with suspected symptoms should speak to their GP. Antibiotics are usually issued.
Children need to stay off for 24 hours after starting antibiotics. If antibiotics are not prescribed by the GP children will need to stay away from your setting for 2-3 weeks as they may still be infectious.
Cases who are still infectious (e.g. within first 24 hours of antibiotics or until fully recovered if antibiotics not taken) should avoid people in vulnerable groups. This includes people with chronic illness such as cancer or diabetes, who are immunocompromised, or who have had very recent influenza or chicken-pox infection. All suspected cases of scarlet fever should seek medical care, either via NHS 111 or their GP. |
|
Chickenpox
|
Chickenpox causes a rash of red itchy spots that become fluid filled blisters. These will crust over to form scabs. Those with symptoms cannot come into your setting until all the spots have crusted over (which is usually around 5 days).
Do not give anyone with chickenpox ibuprofen or aspirin. |
|
Impetigo
|
Impetigo is a skin infection. It will start with red sores or blisters. These will burst quickly and leave crusty, golden-brown patches.
Anyone with signs of impetigo should speak to their GP. They should stay at home for two days (48 hours) after starting antibiotic treatment or until all lesions have crusted over / healed. |
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Strep Throat |
Strep throat is a more severe or longer lasting infection in the throat and tonsils caused by bacteria called group A Streptococcus (group A strep). It is spread by talking, coughing, or sneezing. It can only be diagnosed by swabbing the throat and running a test on the swab. Cases can attend the setting when they no longer have a fever AND have taken antibiotics for at least 24hrs. |
