With at least nine children thought to have died in the UK after catching Group A Strep since September, a North East GP has reassured "understandably worried" parents and shared advice for how best to watch out for the illness.
Group A Strep is a common bacteria that usually causes minor infections. However in some cases it can cause illnesses like scarlet fever or a condition called Invasive Group A Strep (IGAS) which can be lethal. The UK Health Security Agency has warned that cases of the two diseases have risen hugely in recent weeks.
Dr George Rae, a GP at Beaumont Park Medical Centre in Whitley Bay told ChronicleLive he and colleagues around the region had seen a rise in calls from concerned parents. He said parents were right to be vigilant and that doctors were doing "everything we can" to avoid tragedies.
