The Education Authority (EA) has urged all parents and carers to be alert to the signs of group A strep and follow the latest public health guidance.
The EA confirmed it has circulated a letter from the Public Health Agency (PHA) to all schools in Northern Ireland this week with advice and guidance on group A strep along with further resources for parents.
It comes as the latest data continues to indicate an out of season increase in both scarlet fever and group A Strep infections.
Read more: Symptom checker for Strep A and scarlet fever amid increasing cases
A spokesperson for the Education Authority (EA) told Belfast Live: “We are very aware that the increased number of notifications of group A strep infections amongst children across Northern Ireland is a significant issue of concern amongst parents, school leaders and wider school communities.
“We are working closely with the Public Health Agency (PHA), who are leading on the response to provide support to schools.
“The EA circulated a letter from the PHA to all schools on 7th December with advice and guidance on group A strep and further parent resources were issued to schools on 8th December.
“Our School Improvement Professionals are also working closely with schools to provide appropriate support, escalating any urgent issues to the PHA.
“We would strongly urge all parents and carers to be alert to the signs of group A strep and to follow the PHA guidance.”
Latest data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) showed 13 children under 15 have died of Step A in England since September.
Two further deaths have also been reported in Northern Ireland and Wales. Among those who have died was five-year-old Stella-Lily McCorkindale from Belfast.
Meanwhile, a number of local chemists have reported difficulties obtaining amoxicillin and penicillin this week as concern over the infection grows.
Strep A is a bacterial infection which can cause a range of infections including scarlet fever, strep throat and skin conditions including impetigo.
While most of the infections are mild, in very rare occasions the bacteria causing scarlet fever, group A Streptococcus (GAS) can get into the bloodstream and cause an illness called invasive group A Strep (iGAS).
This can be very serious, particularly in older, younger and more vulnerable groups.
READ NEXT:
Strep A symptoms outlined by PHA as parents urged to be alert for signs of infection
-
Strep A and scarlet fever cases rise but PHA say no plans to close NI schools
Strep A signs and symptoms parents should be on the look out for
NI GP on what symptoms to look out for amid rising Scarlet fever and Strep A cases among kids
For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here. To sign up to our FREE newsletters, see here.
