Two primary school children in Co Down have been hospitalised with bacterial infections, a principal has said.
More than 30 children, mostly in Primary 1 and 2 in Brackenagh West Primary School near Kilkeel, are off school with illness connected with the Strep A bacterium.
Principal Michael Peacock said the school is concerned and appealed to parents to keep children at home if they present signs or symptoms of strep A or scarlet fever, and to contact their GP.
READ MORE: NI GP on the symptoms to look for amid rising Scarlet fever and Strep A cases
"We have had quite a lot of sickness over the last week or two which is not unusual for this time of year in school," he told BBC Evening Extra on Monday.
"But we discovered this morning, just a real raft of cases connected with the Strep A bacterium. We have a total of 32 off today and quite a number have been confirmed as cases of either Scarlet Fever or Strep A.
"21 of those children are in P1/P2, the other 11 are spread across the other classes.
"We know a couple of our children have been hospitalised. That's two children and we hope that doesn't rise. It is something we are really quite concerned about.
"It is very difficult for parents and for schools at the moment. If children are presenting with any of the symptoms, I would encourage parents to get them checked out with their local GP. We don't want to scare anyone, absolutely not.
"The vast majority will probably be fine. But it is very to be safe than sorry. I'd also say, please keep your children at home if they are not feeling well or showing any signs or symptoms of illness."
To date, 104 cases of scarlet fever have been recorded in the last month. Parents and carers are being advised to be aware of the symptoms of scarlet fever, a bacterial illness that mainly affects children under 10 but people of any age can get it.
Dr Ursula Mason, chair of the Royal College of General Practitioners and a GP Partner in Carryduff Surgery, told Belfast Live: "If your child is unwell with a high fever, sore throat or are eating and drinking much less than they would normally be, passing a lot less urine, more drowsy or sleepy than normal, those are the children we're more worried about and we would say to seek very early medical advice.
"For lots of children, they will get a temperature and sore throat and manage to fight off whatever infection they have without the need for intervention. If parents are seeing signs of scarlet fever like the rash, strawberry tongue or high temperature, it's entirely reasonable for them to contact their GP to seek advice."
Further information is available on the PHA website.
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