The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has confirmed the deaths of six children who have died after infection with strep A.
The children who have lost their lives have been identified as five children under the age of 10 in England who have died from an invasive form of the infection, plus a girl from Wales who also died from the invasive strain of strep A. .
#StrepA
Our latest data shows that #ScarletFever cases continue to remain higher than we would typically see at this time of year.Read more: https://t.co/HM4O6BXu0L pic.twitter.com/IPmqAliOYR
— UK Health Security Agency (@UKHSA) December 2, 2022
According to a UKHSA document, In children under 10 years of age, the rate of Group A Streptococcal Disease (Invasive) iGAS infection has been higher than levels reported in the years preceding the COVID-19 pandemic, but substantially higher than in the last 2 years. Research is ongoing following reports of an increase in lower respiratory tract GAS infections, particularly emphysema, in children in recent weeks.
What is strep A?
According to the New York State Department of Health, Group A streptococci are bacteria that are often present in the throat and on the skin. Most GAS infections result in relatively mild illnesses, such as strep throat and impetigo.
What illnesses can be caused by strep A infection?
Bacteria called group A strep can cause many different types of infection. These infections range from mild diseases to very serious and deadly diseases.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), The diseases that it can cause are throat infections, cellulitis, scarlet fever, streptococcal toxic shock syndrome, impetigo, rheumatic fever, necrotizing fasciitis and post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis.
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