A school has alerted parents to a confirmed case of Strep A at a primary in Stockport.
News of the confirmed case comes as a ninth child is reported to have died from the highly contagious infection since September.
Cale Green Primary School in Stockport sent a message to parents on Monday saying: "We would like to inform parents / carers of children in ..... class that there has been a confirmed case of Strep A in a child within the class.
READ MORE: Preventative antibiotics for Strep A could be given in schools, says minister
"Thankfully this was quickly diagnosed and is being successfully treated with a course of antibiotics. As directed, we have informed the local authority and Stockport's Public Health department who have sent the following information and guidance."
A parent of one child at the school said initially only families of children in the same class as the confirmed case were informed, with others sent a generic 'winter infections letter'. But on Tuesday all parents were told about the case.
"We should all have been made aware," she said. "I only knew about it because my friend's daughter is in same class as the child.
"My news feed is full of worried parents. I don't want my child in school, but will get I trouble If I keep him off. I think it would make sense for schools to close early for Christmas."
The message from Cale Green goes on to explain that Strep A is an infection that causes a blotchy, pink-red rash.
"It is most common in young children, but can affect people of any age" it says. "It isn't usually serious and can be treated with antibiotics from your GP."
The symptoms include a sore throat, headache, and fever, along with a 'fine, pinkish or red body rash with a sandpapery feel'. On darker skin, the rash can be more difficult to detect visually but will have a sandpapery feel.
Just last week, the UK Health Security Agency issued a rare alert warning parents of the signs to look out for and we shared the case of four-year-old Bolton schoolgirl Camila Rose Burns, fighting for her life in hospital after contracting Strep A.
Earlier today, Tuesday, we reported how schools minister Nick Gibb suggested preventative antibiotics could be given to children at schools affected by the infections.
He told GB News: “Lord Markham said in the House of Lords yesterday that the UK Health and Security Agency are monitoring the position and are considering those kind of issues in those schools where there is an infection.
“This is an ongoing situation, the UKHSA are involved very closely with those schools and they will be providing further advice later on. But that may well be an option for those particular schools where there is an infection.”
Anyone who believes their child is suffering with the illness is advised to contact NHS 111 or their GP immediately.
The M.E.N has approached the school and Stockport council for a comment.
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