Six children have now died after contracting bacterial infection Strep A as cases in the UK rise.
Health experts have began investigating after the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said there had been a rise in cases of rare invasive Group A strep this year, particularly in children under 10. Group A strep bacteria can cause many different infections, ranging from minor illnesses to deadly diseases.
They include the skin infection impetigo, scarlet fever and strep throat. While the vast majority of infections are relatively mild, sometimes the bacteria cause a life-threatening illness called invasive Group A Streptococcal disease.
