The NHS has confirmed clusters of Strep A at a number of Scottish schools.
And now parents in Ayrshire have been sent letters alerting them to scarlet fever and chickenpox outbreaks among a small number of children in local schools.
The move comes after Scotland's health minister Humza Yousaf admitted the number of infections is rising across the country, the Daily Record reports.
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The letters ask parents to be aware of signs and symptoms of the bacterial infection. The include a sore throat, fever, nausea and a fine red rash that feels like sandpaper.
The rash is usually found around the chest and tummy and spreads quickly to other parts of the body , while the face can be flushed red but pale around the mouth.
The more serious symptoms are high fever, severe muscle aches and muscle pain, increased pain, swelling or redness near a wound and unexplained diarrhoea or vomiting.
Yesterday's letters were issued just hours after a ninth child died from the infection in the UK.
Five-year-old Stella-Lily McCorkindale had lost her fight for life in Belfast, with seven children in England and one in Wales passing away due to complications from Strep A bacterial infections. There have been no deaths so far in Scotland.
A letter issued to parents and guardians of children at a school in North Ayrshire yesterday, stated: "We have been informed that a small number of children who attend [your child's school] have been diagnosed with scarlet fever and or chickenpox.
"Although scarlet fever is usually a mild illness, it should be treated with antibiotics to minimise the risk of complications and reduce the spread to others. In very rare cases, for example when the chickenpox infection is also present, Group A streptococcal infection can be more serious and cause more severe and even life-threatening diseases known as invasive Group A Streptococcus.
"Although the risk is low, it is important to be aware of the signs and symptoms."
NHS Ayrshire and Arran issued a statement by Director of Public Health Lynne McNiven confirming there were also a number of clusters in South Ayrshire.
She said: "As a precaution, we have written to parents and carers of children who attend these schools with information about the symptoms, and what to do if they develop symptoms.
"There have been increased numbers of scarlet fever cases across Scotland in recent weeks and so we are asking parents and guardians to be vigilant of the symptoms and to help stop the spread."
A spokesperson for North Ayrshire Council said schools would be "open as normal" despite the outbreaks. But parents have been left worried by the news and possible implications.
A North Ayrshire-based parent said: "We're being told that complications are extremely rare but that's a number of children who have passed away in the last few weeks and it's obviously a big concern. It's heartbreaking to hear what has happened to other families and everyone is hoping for the best. One worry for us is how the kids' immune systems have been affected after they both had Covid-19. Touch wood everyone will be okay."
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