[ad_1]
Six children have died from Strep A in England this season – five of whom were under the age of 10. According to the UK Health Security Agency, the deaths were recorded within seven days of an invasive Strep A diagnosis.
Strep A, known by its full name as Group A streptococcus, is a bacterial infection which can cause sore throats, scarlet fever and invasive disease in rare cases.
According to the BBC there has also been at least one death of a child in Wales.
Data on other nations is not yet available.
The agency said the latest data, showing cases of scarlet fever, “continue to remain higher than we would typically see at this time of year”.
England would expect to see an average of 186 cases according to figures from previous years but this year the UKHSA reported 851 cases in the latest week available.
The agency said investigations are underway after witnessing a spike in lower respiratory tract Group A Strep infections.
According to the agency, there is no evidence to suggest a new strain of Strep A is circulating.
High amounts of circulating bacteria and social mixing have been attributed to the rise in new cases.
MORE FOLLOWS…
[ad_2]
