CNN: As scarlet fever cases rise, baffled researchers investigate

By Sandee LaMotte, CNN

According to research from The Lancet Infectious Diseases, scarlet fever is rising in England and East Asia. Scarlet fever is a highly contagious bacterial infection that manifests as a bright red rash and is caused by Group A Strep, the same bacteria causing strep throat and rheumatic fever. Since 2009, the disease has been increasing in East Asian countries, including Vietnam, South Korea, Hong Kong and mainland China. Researchers are unsure why the uptick disease is happening, and are investigating both environmental and immunological factors. To read more about the outbreak, click here.