The number of children who have died from Strep A in the UK has now reached 15, official figures from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) show. A total of 13 children under the age of 15 have died in England since September, with an additional one in Northern Ireland and one in Wales.
Group A strep bacteria can cause many different infections, including the skin infection impetigo, scarlet fever and strep throat. The vast majority of infections are relatively mild, however the bacteria can also cause a life-threatening illness called invasive Group A Streptococcal disease, which is what has caused the deaths seen in the UK in recent weeks.
The UKHSA has said the recent rise in cases is most likely due to high amounts of circulating bacteria and increased social mixing. Since September, a total of 60 deaths have been reported across all age groups in England.
