A school has paid touching tribute to a 'friendly and constantly smiling' boy who died aged just four after contracting a Strep A infection.
Health experts are investigating cases of Strep A infection after the deaths of six young children and a rise in cases. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said there had been a rise in rare invasive Group A strep this year, particularly in children under 10, with five deaths of under-10s in England since September.
Muhammad Ibrahim Ali died at his home in High Wycombe on November 14 after experiencing a cardiac arrest, his heartbroken mother said. Last week a six-year-old died following an outbreak of the same infection at a school in Surrey. Hanna Roap, 7, from Victoria primary school in Penarth, Wales also died after becoming ill.
Health officials have seen a slight rise in cases of Strep A, which causes scarlet fever, but deaths and serious complications from the infection are not commonplace. Ibrahim's headteacher at Oakridge School, Buckinghamshire, said he was a friendly boy who loved being outdoors, reports Leicestershire Live.
According to Stuart Cook, the school has been working closely with the Health Security Agency and classrooms have been deep cleaned. Mr Cook said: “Ibrahim was a friendly boy who loved coming to Oakridge School. He had lots of energy and was always active. He particularly loved being outdoors in Forest School.
“Ibrahim was kind and loved to help his friends. He was constantly smiling. We are one big family at Oakridge and will miss him terribly. Everyone has been supporting each other as a result of this tragedy.
"We have been touched by the response from the Oakridge School Community who have shared their condolences and laid flowers. They have also raised over £4,000 for charity and for a memorial at the school, so that Ibrahim will always have a place here.
“The children have had some lovely thoughts about how we can remember and celebrate Ibrahim’s time here at Oakridge. We will miss him dearly.”
Mr Cook added: “The school has been working closely with the Health Security Agency, who have done a thorough risk assessment of the school and we have been following their advice in order to keep everyone safe.
"We have informed parents and been told by medical professionals that the most common infections caused by Group A streptococcus are mild and anything more serious, whilst devastating, is extremely rare. We are advising parents to monitor their children for symptoms and to go to the GP if worried. We have deep cleaned the classrooms.”
The school have launched a crowdfunding page to create a memorial for Ibrahim here.
Health officials are understood to have seen a slight rise in cases of Strep A, which can cause scarlet fever, though deaths and serious complications from the infection are rare.
Dr Yimmy Chow, health protection consultant at the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), said of the Ealing case: “We are extremely saddened to hear about the death of a child at St John’s Primary School, and our thoughts are with their family, friends and the school community.
“Working with Ealing Council public health team, we have provided precautionary advice to the school community to help prevent further cases and we continue to monitor the situation closely. Group A streptococcal infections usually result in mild illness, and information has been shared with parents and staff about the signs and symptoms.
“These include a sore throat, fever and minor skin infections and can be treated with a full course of antibiotics from the GP. In rare incidences, it can be a severe illness and anyone with high fever, severe muscle aches, pain in one area of the body and unexplained vomiting or diarrhoea should call NHS 111 and seek medical help immediately.”
Group A strep bacteria can cause many different infections, ranging from minor illnesses to deadly diseases. Scarlet fever is caused by Strep A and mostly affects young children but is easily treated with antibiotics.
According to the NHS website, the first signs of scarlet fever can be flu-like symptoms, including a high temperature, a sore throat and swollen neck glands.
A rash appears 12 to 48 hours later which starts on the chest and stomach, then spreads. A white coating also appears on the tongue which peels, leaving the tongue red, swollen and covered in little bumps (often called 'strawberry tongue').
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