A case of Strep A has been detected in Merseyside after a sixth child dies.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) confirmed a person in Knowsley has contracted the invasive bacterial infection. The diagnosis comes as six children have died after contracting the illness, known by its full name as Group A streptococcus.
There have been five recorded deaths within seven days of an invasive Strep A diagnosis in children under 10 in England this season. A child under the age of 10 has also died in Wales after contracting the disease.
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The UKHSA revealed the case in Knowsley in its latest weekly notification of infectious diseases (Noid) report. This is a list of illnesses that have to be reported to local authorities once they are diagnosed by medics.
According to the UKHSA’s latest Noid report, eight people have so far been diagnosed with Strep A, while another nine have been diagnosed with an unspecified Streptococcal infection.
Strep A is a bacterial infection sometimes found in the throat or skin. Many people carry it without developing any symptoms, but they can still spread it to others who might become ill through close contact and from coughs and sneezes.
In most cases, symptoms are mild such as a sore throat or a skin infection that can be easily treated with antibiotics. However, it can cause a range of different illnesses including serious diseases like scarlet fever.
In extremely rare cases it can cause invasive group A streptococcal infection or iGAS. This happens when bacteria get past the body's natural defences. Warning signs include fever and severe muscle aches.
The UKHSA warned anyone displaying symptoms to seek medical help. It added: "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."
Symptoms of Strep A to look out for
The symptoms of group A streptococcal infection depend on where the infection develops in the body. Listed below are symptoms and signs of different types of group A streptococcal infection:
- Strep throat symptoms may include a sore throat and tonsils, pain when swallowing, fever, muscle aches and pains, and tiredness.
- Scarlet fever symptoms include a very red, sore throat, swollen glands and fever. Around 12 to 48 hours after infection, red blotches can appear on the skin, usually on the face, neck, underarms or groin. Red bumps can also form on the tongue, sometimes called a ‘strawberry tongue’.
- Impetigo causes sores on the skin that tend to form blisters. These blisters can burst and leave a moist area with a yellow brown crust at the edge.
- Cellulitis involves an area of skin becoming red and inflamed, painful and swollen, while the skin will often feel tight and warmer to the touch than the surrounding skin.
- Necrotising fasciitis is a serious skin infection that can cause deep, painful skin sores as well as fever, diarrhoea or vomiting, septic shock and organ failure.
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