New data show that 15 children have died from invasive Strep A infection since September, 13 of them in England.
Weekly cases of scarlet fever, an infectious disease caused by Strep A infection, rose to 1,062 from 851 weeks earlier.
Cases of invasive streptococcus A or iGAS are up to 652 per week in England in the last week of November – the latest figures are available, according to the UK Health Agency.
In England, ten children under the age of 10 have died of iGAS infection and three more between the ages of 10 and 15. This is an increase of six in England. One child has died in Wales, one in Northern Ireland and none in Scotland, bringing the UK total to 15.
Parents were told to watch for symptoms of strep A, including sore throat, fever, red rash, and “strawberry tongue.”
The UKHSA said there was no indication that a new streptococcus A strain was circulating and that the death rate was the same as in previous seasons.
There have been 6,601 cases of scarlet fever since September 12, compared with 2,358 during the same period in the last comparable peak season of 2017/2018.
Higher cases of scarlet fever explain the surge in demand for GP appointments and antibiotic prescriptions from pharmacies, with some reporting shortages.
The UKHSA stressed that iGAS, which occurs when the Strep A bacterium that causes scarlet fever enters the bloodstream, is very rare in all age groups.
It is most severe in the youngest and oldest age groups and among the more vulnerable people.
There were 85 cases of iGAS in children aged one to four, compared with 194 cases in this age group in the 2017/18 season. There were 60 cases in children aged five to nine, compared to 117 for the entire 2017/18 season.
The total number of deaths from invasive streptococcus A in all age groups is 60 in September in England.
In the 2017/18 season, 355 people died, including 27 children.
The UKHSA said that while the peak season could occur every three to four years, “social distancing measures taken during the Covid-19 pandemic could break that cycle and explain the current surge.”
The agency is investigating whether the increased vulnerability of children who were not exposed to the bacteria during the pandemic increases the likelihood of young people becoming seriously ill.
Dr Colin Brown, Deputy Director of the UKHSA, said: “Scarlet fever and strep throat are common childhood illnesses that are easily treated with antibiotics.
“Go to nhs.uk, contact 111 online or contact your GP if your child has symptoms of this infection so they can be tested for treatment. Very rarely, bacteria can enter the bloodstream and cause a more serious illness called invasive group A streptococcus.
“We know this worries parents, but I would like to emphasize that despite the increase in cases among children, this remains very unusual. There are many winter beetles that can make your child sick and are not usually a cause for concern.
“But be sure to talk to your doctor if your child gets worse after a bout of scarlet fever, a sore throat, or a respiratory infection — watch out for signs like a fever that won’t go down, dehydration, extreme fatigue, and problems. breath”.
Source: I News
I’m Raymond Molina, a professional writer and journalist with over 5 years of experience in the media industry. I currently work for 24 News Reporters, where I write for the health section of their news website. In my role, I am responsible for researching and writing stories on current health trends and issues. My articles are often seen as thought-provoking pieces that provide valuable insight into the state of society’s wellbeing.