Strep A: UK school closes for 'deep clean' after suspected scarlet fever outbreak

A UK school has been forced to close for a 'deep clean' after a suspected outbreak of scarlet fever as Strep A continues to spread.

Young people at St Vincent's Voluntary Catholic Academy were asked to remain at at home on Friday while deep clean of the premises was carried out.

It was prompted by a small outbreak of scarlet fever after more cases emerged.

HullLive reports the infection can in rare cases lead to Strep A, which has been connected to the deaths of seven British children.

Scarlet fever is caused by the Group A Strep bacteria causing been one confirmed case in the area the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has said.

A rash usually appears on the neck and face with those with scarlet fever leaving an unaffected area around the mouth (Getty Images)

Strep A has been connected to seven children's deaths (PA)

St Vincent's said last week it had had a "small number of suspected cases".

And very occasionally, the bacteria enters the bloodstream, leading to Strep A.

Some 861 cases of scarlet fever were reported in England and Wales in the past week.

Experts believe that increased social mixing this year and the spread of winter bacteria is to blame, although there is no evidence of a new strain found.

In a letter dated November 27, and published on the school's website, St Vincent's said a small number of children had come down with the illness.

A 3D digital illustration of Strep throat also known as Streptococcus Pneumonia bacteria (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Written by the school's head Philippa Donnelly, it stated: "We have been informed that a small number of children who attend St Vincent’s VC Academy have been diagnosed with suspected scarlet fever."

A subsequent message was sent to parents on Thursday and published on their website, informing them the school would be closed on Friday and urging parents to collect pupils at lunchtime if possible.

It read: "After working very closely with the public health team and rigorously following their advice, the Trust has made the very difficult decision to close St Vincent's VC Academy tomorrow (Friday 2nd December).

"The school will re-open on Monday 5th December. This will give the school the opportunity for a deep clean as we try to break the spread of infection.

An illustration of Streptococcus pyogenes which cause Scarlet fever and other infections (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

"If you are able to do so, children may be collected from 1pm today." St Vincent's also urged parents to look out for possible signs of the infection.

Scarlet fever symptoms include a sore throat, fever and minor skin infections.

Most of the time, they are not serious and can be treated with antibiotics, with those infected making a full recovery.

UKHSA data shows that scarlet fever cases have increased by more than 670% this year in England and Wales compared to the same period in 2021.