Dozens of suspected cases of the frightening Group A Strep virus have been identified by GPs in the North East so far this year - with County Durham among the hardest hit areas of England.
Medics continue to monitor an out of season rise in Strep A infections. Though the virus itself isn't necessarily something to worry about, it can cause the lethal iGAS (Invasive Group A Streptococcus) infection and scarlet fever. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has confirmed there have been 94 deaths from iGAS across England between September 12 and December 18.
That is including 21 children under the age of 18. This is a rare, but severe and sometimes life-threatening infection caused when Strep A bacteria invade parts of the body it is not normally found in - such as the lungs or the bloodstream. Warning signs include fever and severe muscle aches.
