THE amount of people catching scarlet fever across Somerset has risen by 25 per cent.

Public Health England has announced the increase from 27 cases in 2015-16 to 34 cases in 2016-17. 

The disease rate was calculated from September 2015 until February 2016 and the same period the year after. 

Mike Wade, Public Health England South West deputy director of health protection, said: “Scarlet fever is a common infection which is more frequently suffered during winter. Symptoms usually clear up after a week, and in the majority of cases remain reasonably mild.

“As scarlet fever is highly contagious, children or adults diagnosed with scarlet fever by their GP should stay at home until at least 24 hours after the start of antibiotic treatment to avoid passing on the infection.

"Basic good hygiene such as washing hands regularly and covering mouth and nose with a tissue to catch coughs and sneezes will help prevent the spread of scarlet fever.”

Although Somerset has seen an increase, the number of cases across the South West has fallen by 18 per cent.

Scarlet fever’s symptoms include a sore throat, headache and fever with a characteristic sandpapery, fine, pinkish or red rash.