[Scarlet fever in Poland in 1999]

Following the last compensatory epidemic of scarlet fever in 1995 the number of cases decreased, although the decrease rate was low. In 1999 the incidence rate for the entire country was 25.1 per 100,000 (range from 11.5 to 38.6 in different voivodeships). Incidence in urban areas was 92% higher than in rural areas. Two percent of cases were hospitalized. No scarlet fever deaths were noted. Children and adolescents under 14 years of age accounted for 96% cases. As in previous years, the highest incidence rates were noted among children aged 5 (247.4 per 100,000), 6 (277.3 per 100,000), and 7 years (242.3 per 100,000). In the last decade incidence peak has shifted from 4-6 to 6-7 year old age group. It was probably due to demographic and socioeconomic changes taking place in Poland.