At nine, the number of children who have lost their lives due to aggressive group A streptococcal infection in the UK has risen in recent weeks.
These are children aged between four and 12, with most of the cases involving schools in England.
The ninth death, of a five-year-old girl, was confirmed this morning at a hospital in Belfast, Northern Ireland.
Concerns began to be raised after an outbreak of scarlet fever in schools around the country. Scarlet fever is one of the mild illnesses caused by Streptococcus A, but is treated with antibiotics.
In a few cases, such as those of the nine children who died, the bacterium penetrates blood vessels and causes a very serious infection.
The UK Health Protection Agency has updated its guidance to doctors and is allowing the rare preventative administration of antibiotic drugs to pupils in schools where scarlet fever outbreaks are recorded.
The decision, however, is made by local health authorities on a case-by-case basis.
Professor of paediatrics at the University of Bristol Adam Flynn told BBC radio that although it is not entirely clear why there is now this outbreak of strep A, the most likely scenario is because there was limited transmission of the bacterium earlier in the year and limited interaction between children in the previous period due to the pandemic, resulting in their immune systems being more vulnerable.
He added that children were also becoming more vulnerable because of other viruses circulating at this time, such as flu.
The issue of preventative antibiotics in schools was debated in the House of Lords on Monday. It was reported that the Health Protection Agency is closely monitoring developments and will adjust its guidance as necessary.
At the same time parents are urged to be extra vigilant for symptoms of strep infection, namely sore throat, fever and rashes.
Source: CNA
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