‘Deadly’ mutant scarlet fever bacteria on the loose

Fears grow that genetic change in the scarlet fever germ is behind outbreak as the new strain is being found in Hong Kong patients, with the number of cases hitting 526. Mutated bacteria have been found in dozens of patients suffering from scarlet fever as the Hong Kong Hospital Authority held an emergency meeting to try to stop the spread of the deadly disease. University of Hong Kong microbiologist Yuen Kwok-yung said the same mutation detected in samples taken from the seven-year-old girl who died in Queen Mary Hospital on May 29 had been found in “dozens more” patients. The finding supports the theory that a genetic change within the group A Streptococcus bacteria is the cause of the outbreak, said Yuen. At yesterday’s meeting, the Hospital Authority decided to step up surveillance by testing more patients for group A Streptococcus, which can cause other diseases such as meningitis and tonsillitis. Dr. Dominic...