A total of 15 children have now died within days of being diagnosed with Strep A in Britain. Health chiefs have issued an update on the number of cases of the bacterial infection.
New data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) shows 13 children under 15 have died in England since September. Two other deaths of children have been recorded in Belfast and Wales, taking the UK total to 15.
Strep A bacteria causes a range of infections including scarlet fever, strep throat and skin conditions including impetigo. While the majority of infections are relatively mild, sometimes the bacteria cause a life-threatening illness called invasive Group A Streptococcal disease.
