Cases of the ‘Victorian’ disease scarlet fever have rocketed by almost 55 per cent in one week, official figures reveal.
Government statistics show 544 people were infected were struck down with it last week, compared to 352 in the previous seven days.
The Public Health England data follows the 19,079 cases that were recorded last year, the highest total reported since 1967.
Officials are unsure as to why scarlet fever is continuing its rampage across Wales and England, but experts have previously blamed a fall in living standards.
Scarlet fever is most common in children under 10. It causes a sore throat, fever and rash which can occasionally lead to pneumonia
Government statistics show 544 people were infected were struck down with it last week, compared to 352 in the previous seven days
It was a very common infection in the Victorian era – and far more deadly – but cases dramatically reduced, partly due to better hygiene.
If treated promptly, the disease is restricted to no more than unpleasant symptoms.
However, it was a death sentence for hundreds of thousands in the late 1800s and early 1900s.
How long have cases been on the up?
Cases have been on the up since 2014, but officials have yet been able to pinpoint why they have shot up in the past three years.
Some 17,350 cases of scarlet fever have already been recorded this year – with the final amount set to be calculated next week.
It is expected that 2017 will be the second worst year on record, with it closing in on the total of 17,559 that was recorded in 2015.
The PHE data shows cases rose significantly during the second part of the year, with 5,743 infections recorded since July.
This is contrast to the 4,292 cases that were recorded during the same time frame last year – in what was a 50-year high for scarlet fever.
Dr Theresa Lamagni, head of streptococcal surveillance at Public Health England, said in November: ‘Whilst current rates are nowhere near those seen in the early 1900s, the magnitude of the recent upsurge is greater than any documented in the last century.’
Why are cases on the up?
Health officials remain unclear as to why scarlet fever has suddenly returned and blame ‘long-term natural cycles’.
But researchers in America, where cases are also on the rise, have linked it to a super-resistant and aggressive strain of bacteria.
This theory has repeatedly been ruled out by PHE which claims to have not found any evidence despite rigorous lab testing.
It is expected that the numbers will continue to rise further over the coming weeks as the bacteria is most active in March and April.
What is it caused by?
The disease is caused by the bacteria group A streptococcus and spread through coughs and sneezes or touching contaminated objects.
In most cases it clears up by itself but GPs may prescribe penicillin if symptoms are particularly nasty and there is a risk of complications.
Experts have also previously blamed poor lifestyles, growing financial inequality and a fall in living standards for the sharp surge in cases of scarlet fever.
Other common Victorian diseases which were thought to have become things of the past but are now making a comeback include whooping cough and scurvy.