Parents have been warned to look out for the symptoms of Strep A amid a recent rise in cases which has led to the death of at least six children.
Strep A is a group of bacteria that can cause a range of infections including impetigo, scarlet fever and strep throat. Although Strep A infections are usually mild and can be treated with antibiotics, in rare cases the bacteria can make its way into the bloodstream and become a more dangerous threat to a person's health.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) confirmed last week that it was investigating reports of an increase in severe illnesses caused by Group A Strep infections in children over the past few weeks. Five children under the age of 10 are confirmed to have died of an invasive form of Strep A in England since September with a sixth case in Wales bringing the UK total to six, while a seventh unconfirmed case was also reported at the weekend.
