There are 26 scarlet fever strep A cases in Sussex.
The statistic comes as latest figures show 15 children have now died across the country.
Typically, strep A infections are mild and treated easily with antibiotics, but an invasive form of the bacteria known as invasive group A streptococcus (iGas) can be life threatening, especially for children under ten.
The invasive form of the bacteria is when the bacteria gets into the lungs or blood stream through an open wound or sore.
The most recent UK Health Security Agency statistics show that as of Monday, 26 people in Sussex, including three in Brighton, have scarlet fever, the latest data available.
Across the country, 15 children under the age of 15 are known to have died after being infected with iGas.
The UKHSA said there is no current evidence that a new strain is circulating and the rise in cases is most likely due to high amounts of circulating bacteria and increased social mixing.
The illness is most common in spring but there has been a rise in recent months which has seen warnings from authorities to make sure people recognise the symptoms.
Brighton and Hove City Council said it has written to parents and carers to share more information, including symptoms to look out for and advice about what to do.
If a child has suspected scarlet fever, parents or carers should contact NHS 111 or their GP surgery.
A spokesman for the council said: “In very rare cases, the bacteria can get into the bloodstream and cause an illness called invasive group A Streptococcus (iGAS). Our letter to parents also includes details of the actions they need to take if they display the symptoms described.”
There have been 1,131 cases of scarlet fever this week across the country.
This is compared with 1,338 across the country from July last year up until December last year.
One mother, from Horsham, warned other parents about the symptoms for their children after fearing her daughter Eva might die from the infection in hospital.
Sarah Page said she "didn’t know if she was going to make it” but the five-year-old is now on the road to recovery.
The symptoms of strep throat include a sore throat, pain when swallowing, fever, red and swollen tonsils, severe muscle aches, petechiae, which are tiny red spots on the roof of the mouth, and swollen lymph nodes in the front of the neck.
Symptoms typically do not include a cough, runny nose, hoarseness or conjunctivitis which is more likely from a virus.
There has been concern about shortages of access to antibiotics but the Department of Health and Social Care refuted this.
A spokeswoman said: “There is no supplier shortage of antibiotics available to treat strep A. As the Secretary of State said this morning, we sometimes have surges for products and increased demand means some pharmacies are having difficulties obtaining certain antibiotics.
“We are working urgently with manufactures and wholesalers to explore what can be done to expedite deliveries and bring forward stock they have to help ensure it gets to where it’s needed, to meet demand as quickly as possible and support access to these vital medicines.”
Across the county, scarlet fever cases are as follows:
- Brighton and Hove – 3
- Worthing – 4
- Mid Sussex – 1
- Crawley – 0
- Horsham – 5
- Chichester – 2
- Arun – 0
- Adur – 4
- Eastbourne – 3
- Hastings – 0
- Lewes – 1
- Rother – 1
- Wealden 2
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