Nursery staff are asking parents to be vigilant and to take quick action if they identify signs or symptoms of scarlet fever and strep throat in their children. In letters seen by WalesOnline, nurseries are urging parents that in the event of their child presenting signs of a sore throat, to seek medical attention. It comes after a Penarth schoolgirl died from Strep A after coming home from school with a mild cough.
Public Health Wales (PHW) has reminded parents that cases of invasive group A streptococcal infection remain rare in Wales and that children have a very low risk of contracting the disease. They issued the update after it was confirmed that at least six children have died of an invasive form of the Strep A bacterial infection in recent months. Downing Street has urged people to be on the "lookout" for symptoms after the rise in infections but stressed that the NHS is "well prepared".
You'll often hear about scarlet fever in connection with strep A. Scarlet fever is one of the diseases that can be caused by strep A bacteria, but the bacteria can be responsible for other diseases. You can read our guide on everything you need to know about strep A, based on the advice from Public Health Wales and medical experts, here.
