Health: UK issues strep infection warnings following child fatalities

Following the death of six children from a more catastrophic Group A strep-related illness, health officials in the United Kingdom cautioned parents on Friday to be vigilant for scarlet fever signs in their children.

According to the UKHSA, invasive Group A strep (iGAS) is an uncommon infection that has claimed the lives of five children under the age of 10 in England and one in Wales.

Although the UK was “seeing a higher number of instances of Group A strep this year than typical,” major illnesses were “remain uncommon,” according to UKHSA Deputy Director Colin Brown.

Following the death of six children from a more deadly Group A strep-related illness, British health officials cautioned parents on Friday to watch out for symptoms of scarlet fever in their children.

Five children under the age of 10 in England and one in Wales, according to Britain’s Health Security Agency (UKHSA), died after being diagnosed with the uncommon condition known as invasive Group A strep (iGAS).

Although the UK was “seeing a higher number of cases of Group A strep this year than normal,” Colin Brown, deputy director of the UKHSA, noted that serious diseases were “remain uncommon” as a result.

He continued, “The bacteria typically results in a moderate infection that causes sore throats or scarlet fever and is easily treated with medication.

However, in order to cure their child and prevent the illness from getting worse, it is crucial that parents keep an eye out for signs and take their children to the doctor as soon as possible.

If a child exhibits “signs of deteriorating after a bout of scarlet fever, a sore throat, or a respiratory infection,” Brown advised parents to speak with a medical professional.

According to the UKHSA, 851 cases of scarlet fever were reported in England in the most recent week for which statistics were available, up from an annual average of 186 cases.

Investigations are also under progress as a result of information about an upsurge in lower respiratory tract Group A strep infections in kids during the previous few weeks that have resulted in serious sickness.

AFP