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. 2020 Nov 4:148:e278.
doi: 10.1017/S0950268820002642.

Scarlet fever outbreak in a primary and middle school in Germany: importance of case ascertainment and risk communication

N J Saad  1   2 , N Muller  1   3 , J Walter  1   3 , L Murajda  4
Affiliations

Scarlet fever outbreak in a primary and middle school in Germany: importance of case ascertainment and risk communication

N J Saad et al. Epidemiol Infect. .

Abstract

A cluster of 18 scarlet fever cases and large illness absenteeism (32%, 58/184) in a school prompted concern and further investigation. We conducted telephone interviews with parents to ascertain cases and better comprehend parents' views. We identified 19 cases, of which 13 reported scarlet fever diagnosis by a physician and only seven fulfilled the probable case definition. We concluded that the outbreak was far smaller than suspected and found that communication and reporting could be improved. Accurate information and communication is essential in an outbreak; the school's concern could have been alleviated sooner and response measures better targeted.

Keywords: Field epidemiology; outbreak; risk communication; scarlet fever.

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Conflict of interest statement

None.

Figures

Fig. 1.
Fig. 1.
Epidemiological curve. Number of scarlet fever cases notified by the school by date of symptom onset, Berlin, 2020.
Fig. 2.
Fig. 2.
Timeline of actions by the school, scarlet fever outbreak, Berlin, 2020.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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