Five more children have died from Strep A over the past week, according to the latest figures. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) says 21 children have now died in England from the bacterial infection, as well as two kids in Wales and another in Northern Ireland, taking the total to 24.
So far this season (from September 12 to December 18) there have been 27,486 notifications of scarlet fever. This compares to a total of 3,287 at the same point in the year during the last comparably high season in 2017 to 2018 – although cases in that season started to rise at a different point.
In 2017 to 2018 there were 30,768 scarlet fever notifications overall across the year. Invasive group A streptococcus (iGAS) infections remain rare. So far this season, there have been 126 iGAS cases in children aged 1 to 4 compared to 194 cases in that age group across the whole year of the last comparably high season in 2017 to 2018.
There have been 88 cases in children aged 5 to 9 years compared to 117 across the whole year of the last comparably high season in 2017 to 2018. The majority of iGAS cases continue to be in those over 45 years. So far this season there have been 94 deaths across all age groups in England.
This figure includes 21 children under 18 in England. In the 2017 to 2018 season, there were 355 deaths in total across the season, including 27 deaths in children under 18.
Dr Colin Brown, Deputy Director, UKHSA, said: "I understand how this large rise in scarlet fever and ‘strep throat’ may be concerning to parents, however the condition can be easily treated with antibiotics and it is very rare that a child will go on to become more seriously ill. Most winter illnesses can be managed at home and NHS.UK has information to help parents look after children with mild illness.
"NHS services are under huge pressure this winter, but please visit NHS.UK, contact 111 online or your GP surgery if your child has symptoms of scarlet fever or ‘strep throat’ so they can be assessed for treatment. At this time of year, there are lots of winter illnesses circulating that can make children unwell and I would urge all those eligible for free winter vaccines to take advantage of these."
