A scarlet fever outbreak in Hong Kong has claimed the life of a second child. Hong Kong health officials say they are now dealing with "an epidemic".

Officials have recorded nearly 500 cases of scarlet fever this year, more than triple the total of 2010.

It's the city's highest annual total. Late Wednesday, officials confirmed a five-year-old boy's death, following the death of a seven-year-old in late May.

Scarlet fever usually occurs in children under 10 years of age, symptoms include a sore throat and fever. Typically, it begins as a rash on the chest or stomach and can spread over the whole body.