In England, four more children have died from invasive Strep A infection, bringing the total number of deaths under the age of 18 in the UK to 30.
The four deaths were in addition to two confirmed in Scotland on Wednesday. New figures from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) have shown that 21 children have died from invasive strep A in England since September, while two people have died in Wales and one in Northern Ireland.
The UKHSA said general practitioners and pharmacists have seen “emergency levels” of scarlet fever, a contagious disease caused by streptococcal bacteria, this year compared to previous seasons. The rise in cases has led to a shortage of penicillin and other antibiotics among pharmacists.
There have been 33,836 reports of scarlet fever since September, partly due to increased awareness of the outbreak, but also due to higher bacterial circulation, which may be due to decreased immunity in children following the Covid quarantine.
This compares to a total of 4,672 cases during the same time during the last comparable peak season of 2017-2018, although the number of cases in that season began to rise later in the year.
There were 30,768 reports of scarlet fever in 2017–2018, according to the UKHSA.
Since September, the number of cases of invasive streptococcus A (iGAS) has risen to 1148 in all age groups, including 151 in children aged 1 to 4 years.
Dr Obage Edegere, director of emergencies at the UKHSA, said: “We are still seeing an increase in scarlet fever and strep throat, which understandably worries parents.
“However, I would like to emphasize that the disease is easily treated with antibiotics and very rarely does a child become more seriously ill.
“In winter, there are many diseases that can make children sick, so it is important to avoid contact with other people if you feel unwell, wash your hands regularly and thoroughly, and use a handkerchief when coughing and sneezing. I also encourage everyone who is eligible for free winter vaccinations to take advantage of them.
“Most winter illnesses can be treated at home and NHS.uk has information to help parents care for children with mild illnesses.
“However, be sure to talk to your doctor if you think your child is feeling worse, for example if he is eating or eating less than usual, if he is dehydrated, has a high fever that won’t go down, feels very hot and sweaty . or seems more tired or irritable than usual.”
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.