Although low, the number of strep A deaths in Britain is higher than expected for this time of year
An alarm has been raised in Britain because of it Streptococcus A. Five more children have died from strep A as the bacteria continues to sweep Britain after lockdown.
Figures from the UK Health Safety Agency (UKHSA) show that a total of 21 children in England have died from the usually mild bacterial infection.
Two children in Wales and one in Northern Ireland also died, bringing the UK death toll so far to 24. The victims include a four-year-old boy and a seven-year-old girl.
Although low, the number of deaths from strep A in Britain is higher than expected for this era. Twenty-seven people under the age of 18 died from strep A in 2017/18 in Britain.
Strep A bacteria can cause a number of other infections. While the vast majority of infections are relatively mild, in extremely rare cases the bacteria can cause invasive group A strep (iGAS).
Two of the more severe forms of this invasive disease are necrotizing fasciitis and streptococcal toxic shock syndrome. Both can kill.
Dr Colin Brown, deputy director of the UKHSA, however stressed that strep A can be easily treated with antibiotics and it is very rare for a child to become more seriously ill. “Most winter illnesses can be treated at home and the NHS has information to help parents care for children with mild illness,” he added.
It is noted that streptococcus A can become dangerous when it invades parts of the body where bacteria are not normally present. If found in these areas, such as e.g. in the blood, cerebrospinal fluid, bone marrow and organs such as the brain and heart, it can spread quickly and become fatal.
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