[Scarlet fever in Poland in 2000].

In 2000, as compared with 1999, a 14% decrease in the number of scarlet fever cases was noted. The incidence was 21.6 per 100,000 population and was one of the lowest since World War II. In particular voivodeships incidence ranged from 9.4 to 34.3 per 100,000 population. In urban areas the incidence was 71.3% higher than in rural ones. Of all registered cases 95.3% were children under 15 years of age. The age distribution of scarlet fever cases in 2000 was similar to the distribution observed in the last decade. The highest incidence was noted among children aged 6 and 5, respectively 257.0 and 224.4 per 100,000. About 2.1% of all cases were hospitalized. No scarlet fever deaths were noted.