The Ministry for Health said today that 23 children had been reported to be suffering from slapped cheek syndrome since the beginning of this year in various localities in Malta.
Slapped cheek syndrome is a viral infection that is most common in children, although it can affect anyone of any age. It is caused by a virus called a parvovirus which is spread in much the same way as the cold or flu viruses through infected secretions from the nose and throat. Most children will not need treatment as slapped cheek syndrome is usually a very mild condition that passes in a few days.
The main symptom is a blotchy red rash on the face, resembling slapped cheeks, that could later spread to other parts of the body.
Prevention of spread is by frequent hand washing.
The ministry said that if a pregnant woman acquires the infection before 20 weeks of pregnancy, as might happen in other infections during this stage of pregnancy, there is a slightly higher risk of miscarriage. In such a case where a pregnant woman is exposed to an infected child she should consult her gynaecologist for necessary investigations.
"There is no need for alarm. The Ministry for Health is raising awareness about this condition amongst the general population and among parents of children where specific cases have been identified," the ministry said.
Earlier this week, the Times of Malta reported that pregnant teachers who work in schools where there have been cases of slapped cheek virus are being advised by their doctors to stay at home to avoid complications.
Depending on the stage of pregnancy, there is “a small risk” of miscarriage or complications for the baby including heart failure and anaemia, according to the UK’s National Health Service.
Most pregnant women who get slapped cheek syndrome have healthy babies.
Expectant mothers who come into contact with the condition – that is, at its most contagious stage before symptoms are visible – are being told to play it safe and stay at home, Malta Union of Teachers president Kevin Bonello confirmed.
Several pregnant teachers and learning support assistants contacted the union because they were worried, he added.
“They are not only worried about the health aspect. They are also worried about catching up with the syllabus as students are approaching exam time…
“But, as a union, we are telling them to follow doctors’ orders,” Mr Bonello said when contacted.
He gave the example of one pregnant teacher who had been away from school for a week.
Mr Bonello said the union wrote to Education Minister Evarist Bartolo requesting that absences like this be considered as quarantine leave and not deducted from these teachers’ sick leave entitlement.
Quarantine leave, he explained, was resorted to in case of contagious diseases.
Mr Bonello said he knew of at least five schools where cases of slapped cheek syndrome had been reported.
When a case is detected in a school the health authorities instruct the principal to send a letter to parents of children in the same class as the infected student, with information on the disease.
Children in the same class are directed to follow general preventative procedures in class such as frequent hand-washing.
Parents are told not to send children with fever, rashes or any signs of illness to school.
The letter also reads: “If the mother of a child diagnosed with this virus or the teacher of a child diagnosed with this virus is pregnant then it is advised that you inform your gynaecologist that you were exposed to this virus.”