Two children under the age of 10 have died from a strep A infection in Scotland since October 3, according to Public Health Scotland (PHS).
The agency said seven people with invasive group A streptococcal disease (iGAS) died in Scotland between October 3 and December 25, two of them under the age of 10.
Infections caused by group A streptococci (GAS) include impetigo skin infections, scarlet fever, and streptococci.
Scottish Health Minister Humza Yusuf tweeted: “Every death is a tragedy, especially the death of young children. My thoughts are with the affected families and relatives.”
He added: “Fortunately, most cases of Streptococcus A are mild and can be treated with antibiotics. Working with the UK government to ensure adequate supplies.
“Where there is a local shortage of first-line drugs, alternative and effective antibiotics are available.”
There were 869 lab reports of GAS in the week ending December 25, according to PHS, up from 1,079 the week before. This compares to 300 to 480 reports per week during the observed peaks since 2016.
Meanwhile, health officials in Wales are investigating whether the unexplained death of an eight-year-old girl on December 22 in Maes-y-Deri, Ceredigion, is linked to the outbreak.
A 33-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of child neglect in connection with the incident, Dyfed Powis police said.
Dr Graham Browne, Communicable Diseases Adviser at Public Health Wales, said: “Public Health Wales has been working with Hywel Dda University Health Board and Ceredigion Council since the death of a child in Lampeter. We express our sincere condolences to the family, friends and all involved. Public Health Wales cannot comment on individual cases.
“We are investigating links to iGAS, a very rare complication of group A streptococcal infection. While we understand that parents may be concerned, cases of iGAS remain rare in Wales and children have a very low risk of contracting the disease.”
The Welsh Health Service said on Wednesday that fewer than five deaths had been reported among children under 15, but the authority did not confirm the exact number of deaths “due to the risk of identification”.
Dr Brown added: “In a very small number of cases, strep A infection can cause iGAS, a rare complication that typically affects fewer than 20 children in Wales each year. Although iGAS is a concern, most of these children recover with the right treatment.”
More information on cases in England is expected from the UK Health Security Agency on Thursday.
The latest update on 22 December reported 94 deaths in England of all ages, including 21 children under the age of 18, bringing the total number of reported cases of scarlet fever to 27,486.
Source: I News
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