Health authorities in Tokyo are sounding the alarm about a type of bacterial disease commonly spread among children. They are calling on people to take precautionary steps such as washing hands and wearing masks.

The authorities issued the alert for Group A streptococcal pharyngitis on Thursday. They say it is the first alarm since the infectious diseases control law took effect in 1999.

The disease can cause sudden fever and sore throat. Those infected may develop such symptoms after an incubation period of several days.

Officials say the number of cases in the capital for the week through Sunday exceeded the level requiring the alert issuance. They say the number of cases may rise.

Other infectious diseases are also spreading in Tokyo.

Officials say the number of people infected with pharyngoconjunctival fever, or PCF, was 3.36 per medical institution. That's up slightly from a week earlier and continues to exceed the alert level.

PCF is an adenovirus infection that can cause high fever, sore throat and eye inflammation, mainly among children.

Officials also said 20.48 flu cases per institution were reported, up slightly from the previous week.

They said the figure for COVID-19 stood at 2.58, marking an increase for a fourth straight week.