Strep A: fears NHS will struggle to cope as seventh child reported to have died

Streptococcus A bacteria can cause many health issues including scarlet fever and, rarely, invasive group A streptococcal disease (iGAS). Photograph: Bsip Sa/Alamy

Medics have raised the alarm over the ability of the NHS to cope with increased rates of strep A, after reports that a 12-year-old schoolboy from London had become the latest child to die after contracting a rare, invasive form of the infection.

On Sunday, cabinet minister Nadhim Zahawi urged parents to be vigilant for signs of streptococcus A, even though most cases are mild.