The rate of scarlet fever in the East Midlands is currently higher than the national average after the death of a ninth UK child from Strep A. Scarlet fever is caused by a bacteria called group A streptococci and in some cases, these bacteria can cause invasive Group A Strep (iGAS).
It is this latter illness which has now claimed the lives of nine young people and which has led health authorities to urge parents to look out for symptoms in their children. Nottinghamshire parents have been told to use their instinct when deciding whether or not to contact a doctor about their child.
Figures from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) now show that the rate of scarlet fever per 100,000 people in the East Midlands stands at 11.9. That's higher than the national average of just 8.2
