One child has died and several others are being treated for the now rare disease scarlet fever around Geraldton in Western Australia's north-west.
Six-year-old Sebastian Parman died after being sent home twice from Geraldton Regional Hospital.
His mother then took the boy to a GP who had him admitted to hospital but he later died.
On Wednesday, WA Country Health Service confirmed that a second child was currently being treated for scarlet fever but was recovering well after treatment.
The health service's public health physician Marisa Gilles said doctors had treated "a small number" of suspected cases of scarlet fever in Geraldton children over the past week.
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"Scarlet fever usually follows a throat infection and is characterised by a sandpapery rash, especially over the trunk and limbs, a red strawberry tongue and a flushed face, along with fever, nausea and vomiting, and general unwellness," she said.
"Scarlet fever is very treatable with antibiotics."
Anyone who is concerned about the health of their children should contact their doctor, the hospital emergency department or telephone Health Direct on 1800 022 222.
