Since September 19, at least 30 children in the United Kingdom have died from invasive strep A, according to new data.
According to data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), 122 persons in England have died as a result of the invasive form of the bacterial infection.
25 of these victims were under 18 years old. Three additional child deaths have occurred in Northern Ireland and Wales combined.
Public Health Scotland announced the deaths of two youngsters on Wednesday.
Group The strep bacteria can cause a variety of diseases, such as scarlet fever and strep throat.
The UKHSA reports an out-of-season increase in scarlet fever and group A streptococcus infections, as well as a greater number of cases than in an average year.
Since Covid regulations have been loosened and people are interacting more frequently, there is more potential for this virus to spread.
While the majority of instances are rather minor, strep can occasionally produce a life-threatening Group A streptococcal infection. A Streptococcal infection (iGAS) has evaded the body’s defenses and entered regions where it is not ordinarily present, such as the blood, lungs, or muscles.
The UKHSA documented 151 cases of iGAS in children aged one to four between 19 September and 25 December, compared to 194 cases in the same age group during the entire 2017-2018 season – the previous time when infection rates were equally high.
According to the health service, iGAS infections continue to be uncommon, with the majority of cases occurring in individuals aged 45 and older.
This season, 33,836 cases of scarlet fever have been reported, compared to 4,672 at the same stage from 2017 to 2018.
The continued increase in instances of scarlet fever and strep throat (a painful throat caused by strep A) is “understandably alarming for parents,” according to Dr. Obaghe Edeghere of the UKHSA.
However, he emphasized that the disease “may be quickly treated with antibiotics, and it is extremely rare for a child to develop a more serious illness.”
Dr. Edeghere said, “During the winter, there are many infections that can make children sick, therefore it is vital to avoid contact with others if you are sick, wash your hands frequently and thoroughly, and cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue.”
He further emphasized that parents must contact a medical expert if they fear their child’s condition is worsening, such as if the youngster is:
- consuming or feeding less than usual
- have a high temperature that refuses to decrease
- are quite heated and perspiring
- appear more exhausted or angry than usual.
The UKHSA data also reveal that there have been 102 instances of iGAS in children aged five to nine, compared to 117 during the 2017-2018 season.
Of the 122 deaths across all age groups in England this season, 49 were above the age of 75, and 20 were under the age of 10. In 2017 and 2018, there were a total of 355 deaths, including 27 children.
Professor Jason Leitch, the national clinical director of Scotland, stated on Wednesday that the country is witnessing the highest incidence of Strep A infections since 2017 but that the deaths of two children so far this year are “not unexpected.”
