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Health authorities last night confirmed the death of a four-year-old boy from Ireland with strep A, hours after news broke that two children had been hospitalized following an outbreak of scarlet fever at a primary school in Wales. In the wake of the latest death, the Health Service (HSE) said it was contacting schools and childcare providers with information about strep A infections, including scarlet fever and other winter viruses. It comes as a total of 24 children at Brynaman Primary School in Carmarthenshire have been diagnosed with the infection, with two taken to hospital. Councilor Glynog Davies, Welsh cabinet member for education and language, said five schools across the county had cases of scarlet fever. On Wednesday, it was reported that cases of scarlet fever had increased tenfold this year amid a rise in strep A infections. The latest figures published by the UK Health Safety Agency (UKHSA) show there were around 23,000 cases of infection this year up to last week, compared to just 2,323 over the same period in 2021. Scarlet fever is caused by a bacterium called group A streptococcus. Although it is usually a mild disease, it is highly contagious.
Basic points
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Are there vaccines available for strep A and scarlet fever?
Nine children in the UK have died in recent weeks as a result of an outbreak of group A strep, a potentially fatal bacterial infection better known as A strep. The bacteria, Streptococcus pyogenes, can remain in the throat and skin and cause many different illnesses if spread through sneezing or physical contact, including canker sores, strep throat, and strep throat. While the vast majority of infections turn out to be relatively mild, the bacteria can also sometimes cause a life-threatening disease known as invasive group A streptococcus disease (iGAS). Symptoms include high fever, severe muscle aches, localized muscle tenderness, and redness at the site of the injury. Emily Atkinson8 December 2022 09:00 1670488877
Death of 4-year-old child in Ireland confirmed as Strep A
An invasive form of strep A has been linked to the death of a four-year-old child in Ireland, bringing the number of children who have died from the infection in recent weeks to 10. The Health Service Executive (HSE) investigated whether group A invasive strep was a factor in the child’s death in the north-east region of the country. “We can now confirm that invasive group A strep infection was found to be the cause of the infection associated with their death,” he said. Emily Atkinson8 December 2022 08:41 1670486575
Strep A outbreaks in your area as hundreds of infections reported across the UK
Parents have been warned to be on the lookout for symptoms following a rise in infections caused by the Strep A bacteria. At least nine children have died with an invasive form of the bacteria in recent weeks, while cases of scarlet fever, caused by a strep A infection, have soared. Concern has been raised as cases are higher than usual for the time of year. Liam James has the details: Emily Atkinson8 December 2022 08:02 1670484499
Irish health officials move to reassure parents after child dies
Health authorities have moved to reassure parents after an invasive form of Strep A was confirmed to be linked to the death of a four-year-old child in Ireland. The Health Service Executive (HSE) investigated whether group A invasive strep was a factor in the child’s death in the north-east region of the country. “We can now confirm that invasive group A strep infection was found to be the cause of the infection associated with their death,” he said. Public health staff support the family as well as the school the child attended. Health authorities have contacted schools and childcare providers with information about strep A infections, including scarlet fever and other winter viruses. GP Breda Smyth and health authorities stressed that while it is a worrying time for parents, most children with a Strep A infection will have a mild illness that can be treated with antibiotics. The advice stresses that if a child is seriously unwell, particularly if it gets worse, professional medical advice should be sought. “As a parent, if you feel your child is unwell, you should trust your own judgement,” the HSE advice says. Emily Atkinson8 December 2022 07:28 1670482800
Can adults get strep A?
Why does strep A spread to children and can adults get it? Yes, adults can get strep A. Scarlet fever is more common in children, but those at increased risk for scarlet fever include parents of school-aged children and those who are in frequent contact with children. The NHS also notes that those at risk of iGAS include people who:
You are in close contact with someone who has the disease He is over 65 years old You have diabetes, heart disease or cancer I recently had chicken pox You have HIV Use certain steroids or other intravenous drugs.
Eleanor Noyce8 December 2022 07:00 1670479200
What to do if you think your child has Strep A
The UKHSA advises that you contact NHS 111 or your doctor if you suspect your child has scarlet fever, because early treatment of the disease with antibiotics is important to reduce the risk of complications such as pneumonia or a blood infection. If your child has scarlet fever, keep him at home for at least 24 hours after starting antibiotic treatment to avoid spreading the infection to others. In most cases, scarlet fever will go away on its own without medical intervention, but children can occasionally develop a bacterial infection on top of the virus, which can make them more unwell. Joanna Whitehead has more: Eleanor Noyce8 December 2022 06:00 1670475600
Streptococcal A: Penicillin ‘fragmented’ supply as demand for antibiotics rises
Pharmacists said they were struggling to get penicillin, a first-line drug used to treat strep A, saying the offer was “effective”. Pharmacists have reported problems getting liquid penicillin, with two different industry bodies raising concerns about the drug’s supply. Eleanor Noyce8 December 2022 05:00 1670472000
Scarlet fever cases rise tenfold as parents scramble to find Strep A antibiotics
Strep A bacteria usually only causes mild illness, including scarlet fever and strep throat, which is treated with antibiotics. But in rare cases, it can develop into a potentially life-threatening disease if it enters the bloodstream. Pharmacists say they are struggling to get their hands on antibiotics to treat strep A infections – despite the government insisting there is no shortage. “We are concerned because we have to turn patients away,” Dr Leyla Hannbeck, head of the Association of Multiple Pharmacies (AIMP), told the Independent. Eleanor Noyce8 December 2022 04:00 1670468400
Strep A concerns create ‘carnage’ and ‘eyesore’ for NHS
NHS 111, primary care and A&E services have been ‘carnage’ after the recent outbreak of Strep A cases. Senior staff working across NHS services have warned that news of the Strep A outbreak has prompted more parents to use services at a time when demand is already at record levels. Leading epidemiologists, speaking to The Independent, warned that the outbreak, which has killed at least nine children, could be just the beginning, with peaks usually expected closer to spring. Eleanor Noyce8 December 2022 03:00 1670464800
Can I have a Strep A swab test? Online retailers are selling out as infections rise across the UK
Nine children have died from strep A in recent weeks amid a rise in infections across the UK. In some countries, rapid Strep A tests are used to identify the bacterial infection. The tests commonly used in the United States are not very different in design from the lateral flow tests used to rapidly diagnose Covid-19. Throat swabs taken by a doctor and results become apparent within 15 minutes. If positive, an infected patient can be started on a course of antibiotics immediately. If it is negative, but the doctor still has reason to suspect strep A, the swab is sent to a laboratory for more thorough investigation. Eleanor Noyce8 December 2022 02:00
