Strep A: Fourth child dies from bacterial disease

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

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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.

What is strep A?

Image source, BSIP/Getty Images

Group A streptococcal (GAS) infection is caused by strains of the streptococcus pyogenes bacteriumThe bacteria can live on hands or the throat for long enough to allow easy spread between people through sneezing, kissing and skin contactMost infections cause mild illnesses such as “strep throat”, scarlet fever or skin infectionsThe 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).

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.

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