Strep A: Fourth child dies from bacterial diseaseon December 2, 2022 at 2:02 pm

- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -

The latest case of a London primary school child follows the recent deaths of three young children.

St John's School in EalingImage source, Google

A third child has died from Strep A, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has confirmed.

The latest death was of a child who attended St John’s School in Ealing, west London.

It comes after it was announced yesterday that a child in Wales died with the disease, and last month another child died of the infection at a primary school in Surrey.

The disease, Group A streptococcal (iGAS), can cause scarlet fever.

The UKHSA said it was working with Ealing Council to provide public health advice and support to the school.

line

What is strep A?

Streptococcus pyogenes

Image source, BSIP/Getty Images

  • Group A streptococcal (GAS) infection is caused by strains of the streptococcus pyogenes bacterium
  • The bacteria can live on hands or the throat for long enough to allow easy spread between people through sneezing, kissing and skin contact
  • Most infections cause mild illnesses such as “strep throat”, scarlet fever or skin infections
  • The bacteria rarely infects healthy people but if it does get into the body, causing serious and even life-threatening conditions it is known as invasive GAS (iGAS).
line

Dr Yimmy Chow, health protection consultant at UKHSA London, said: “We are extremely saddened to hear about the death of a child at St John’s Primary School, and our thoughts are with their family, friends and the school community.

“Working with Ealing Council public health team, we have provided precautionary advice to the school community to help prevent further cases and we continue to monitor the situation closely.”

The UKHSA said Group A streptococcal infections usually result in mild illness. Symptoms includes a sore throat, fever and minor skin infections, and can be treated with a full course of antibiotics from a GP.

“In rare incidences, it can be a severe illness and anyone with high fever, severe muscle aches, pain in one area of the body and unexplained vomiting or diarrhoea should call NHS 111 and seek medical help immediately,” Mr Chow added.

Presentational grey line

Follow BBC London on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Send your story ideas to hellobbclondon@bbc.co.uk

Related Internet Links

The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
- Advertisement -

Discover

Sponsor

Latest

The Papers: ‘Damning’ Covid report, and gas crisis loanson October 11, 2021 at 11:13 pm

Several of Tuesday's papers focus on a new inquiry by MPs into how the UK handled the pandemic.

The Ashes: England’s Ben Stokes dismissed by Australia’s Nathan Lyon on reviewon December 20, 2021 at 5:22 am

England's Ben Stokes is given out lbw on review whilst playing back to Australian spinner Nathan Lyon on day five of the second Ashes...

Gulf War syndrome ‘not caused by depleted uranium’on February 18, 2021 at 5:20 pm

The condition may be due to soldiers being exposed to the nerve agent sarin, researchers suggest.image copyrightGetty ImagesAn illness suffered by soldiers who took...

The Weight Loss Cure by Oprah Magazine

The Weight Loss Cure by Oprah MagazineOprah Winfrey is one of the most famous people in the world and her name is synonymous...

Hermit faces eviction from beachside cave homeon September 5, 2022 at 11:11 pm

Nisim has spent almost 50 years building and decorating his home in the Israeli town of Herzliya.Nisim has spent almost 50 years building and...