Scarlet fever has hit Malta again, causing worry to parents who will nevertheless take comfort in the knowledge that the number of cases so far this year has fallen.

This year’s outbreak of the once-deadly infection was reported to the health authorities after concerned parents contacted The Times, saying they were told of the cases but had received no information from their school.

A Health Ministry spokesman said that when such cases were reported, the head of the school was informed as would the parents of children who were in close contact with the infected child.

The drop in the number of cases follows an explosion in 2009 when 100 patients were treated, a jump from the 37 registered in 2008. Last year, however, there were only 15 cases.

No immediate information on the number for this year was available but the spokesman said it had continued to decline.

The infection, also known as scarlatina, is a complication of the streptococcus bacteria, which normally causes the common sore throat. The disease usually occurs after a throat or skin infection. It can be caught from coming into contact with a sick person because the bacterium is carried in the mouth and nasal fluids.

Once diagnosed by a doctor, the illness is usually treated with antibiotics that must be taken for their full course, otherwise there is a risk of infection re-occurring.

The Health Ministry encouraged parents to look out for the symptoms since early treatment can prevent complications and early isolation in the home can stop the illness from ­spreading.

The most common symptoms of scarlet fever:

• A rash first appears as tiny red bumps on the neck, chest and abdomen. This rash may then spread all over the body. It looks like sunburn and feels like rough sandpaper. It is usually redder in the creases of the elbows, arm pits and groin areas. The rash lasts from two to five days.

• The face is flushed with a pale area around the lips.

• The throat is very red and sore. It can have white or yellow patches.

• A fever of 38.3°C or higher is common. Chills are often seen with the fever.

• Glands in the neck are often swollen.

• A whitish coating can appear on the tongue, which looks like a strawberry because the normal bumps look larger.