There has been a significant increase in the number of children with strep A infections in the UK over the past month compared with the same period in previous years. Sadly, nine children have died as a result of complications of this bacterial infection.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued a statement about what parents can look out for as signs of illness, and an alert notifying doctors about the rise in cases.
Group A streptococcus (also called GAS or strep A) is a type of bacteria that can live in the back of the throat or on the skin, especially in children. It can spread between people through close contact or coughing and sneezing.
