A pupil at a school in Sussex who is suspected to have had invasive Strep A infection has died, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has said.
The pupil, understood to be a 12-year-old girl, had attended Hove Park School and her sad death takes the UK's death toll to 16 after shock figures from the UKHSA yesterday revealed fifteen children under the age of 15 had died from the illness across Britain this winter.
Specialists from the UKHSA are working with Brighton and Hove City Council to support the school following the death.
Dr Rachael Hornigold, consultant in health protection at UKHSA South East, said: "We are extremely saddened to hear about the death of a young child and our thoughts are with their family, friends and the local community.
"Infection with Group A Streptococcus bacterium usually causes a sore throat, scarlet fever or skin rash, and is passed by physical contact or through droplets from sneezing or coughing.
"In very rare cases, the infection can become invasive and enter parts of the body where bacteria aren't normally found, which can be serious.
"We will implement public health actions, including advice to the city council and school community."
Alistair Hill, director of public health at Brighton and Hove City Council said: "We are working with the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and Hove Park School following the death of a pupil who attended the school.
"We offer our heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, and the whole school community who will all be deeply affected by the very tragic loss of this young child, and we are providing our support to them at this incredibly sad time. While we cannot comment on individual cases, we ask that the privacy of the family is respected.
"As a precaution, we have also been working closely with the school to raise awareness amongst parents and carers of the signs and symptoms of Group A Streptococcal infections, and what to do if a child develops these, including invasive Group A Streptococcal disease (iGAS).
"I would stress that contracting iGAS disease from another person is very rare. Most people who come into contact with Group A Streptococcal infections remain well and symptom-free - and therefore there is no reason for children to be kept home if well. However, if you feel that your child seems seriously unwell please contact NHS 111."
The condition can normally be treated with antibiotics but symptoms, such as a fever and sore throat, can be mistaken for other viruses.
But experts fear a lack of immunity after Covid-19 lockdowns and social distancing could be to blame.
Group A strep bacteria can cause many different infections, ranging from minor illnesses to deadly diseases.
Illnesses caused by Strep A include skin infection impetigo, scarlet fever and strep throat.
While the vast majority of infections are relatively mild, sometimes the bacteria cause a life-threatening illness called invasive Group A Streptococcal disease.
The UKHSA has said there is no current evidence that a new strain is circulating and the rise in cases is most likely due to high amounts of circulating bacteria and increased social mixing.
Since September, the UKHSA said there have been 652 reports of invasive Strep disease, higher than at the same points over the last five years.
Pharmacists have also reported turning desperate patients away due to a lack of antibiotics used to treat Strep A.
Amo Sohal, who owns Kitsons Pharmacy in Worcester, said the spike in Strep A cases has led to soaring demand for penicillin and amoxicillin.
Despite ministers claiming there are enough drugs around, he said: "I have never seen this sort of shortage before."
Mr Sohal said: “The situation has changed a lot in the last 48 hours. People are coming to us with prescriptions that we just can’t get hold of from our suppliers.
“It’s so difficult when you can’t get prescriptions for people who need them. It is a very worrying picture, and we need support.”
Stella-Lily McCorkindale
Stella-Lily McCorkindale, five, died from Strep A. Her devastated dad Robert said he brought her to A&E three times before she was admitted to the ICU where she later died.
Mr McCorkindale, from Belfast, Northern Ireland, said his "amazing" daughter started feeling unwell on the weekend of November 26 with a cold and temperature.
He said he brought her to the hospital three times in three days before she was admitted, but by then it was too late. Stella-Lily tragically died today as the family is now hoping to raise funds for her funeral.
A review is being conducted into Stella-Lilly's care and the hospital has offered to meet with her family.
Mr McCorkindale told the Mirror: "I think she would have had two extra days of fighting.
"They should have tested her for Strep A on the Monday [November 28], by the time they induced her Stella had given up."
Muhammad Ibrahim Ali
Muhammad Ibrahim Ali, four, died at his home in High Wycombe on November 14 after experiencing a cardiac arrest, his heartbroken mother said.
Ibrahim's headteacher at Oakridge School, Buckinghamshire, said he was a friendly boy who loved being outdoors.
According to Stuart Cook, the school has been working closely with the Health Security Agency and classrooms have been deep cleaned.
Mr Cook said: “Ibrahim was a friendly boy who loved coming to Oakridge School. He had lots of energy and was always active. He particularly loved being outdoors in Forest School.
“Ibrahim was kind and loved to help his friends. He was constantly smiling.
“We are one big family at Oakridge and will miss him terribly. Everyone has been supporting each other as a result of this tragedy.
“We have been touched by the response from the Oakridge School Community who have shared their condolences and laid flowers.
“They have also raised over £4,000 for charity and for a memorial at the school, so that Ibrahim will always have a place here.
“The children have had some lovely thoughts about how we can remember and celebrate Ibrahim’s time here at Oakridge. We will miss him dearly.”
Hanna Roap
Little Hanna Roap died shortly after falling ill with the disease.
The girl from Penarth, south of Cardiff, was given steroids after waking up coughing on November 25 and then she died within 12 hours, it is reported.
Her father, Abul Roap, 37, told The Telegraph: “I took her home from the doctors and gave her the medication. She went to sleep at 4pm and never woke up.
“She stopped breathing at 8pm but we were not immediately aware because she was sleeping.
“I did CPR. I tried to revive her but it didn’t work. Paramedics arrived and continued the CPR but it was too late.
“She did not get the right medication, if she had been given antibiotics it could have been potentially a different story.”
Four other victims
A six-year-old pupil who attended Ashford Church of England Primary School in Ashford, Surrey, also died.
A Year 8 pupil from private Colfe's School in Lewisham, southeast London, has died after contracting Strep A.
Earlier this week, it was announced that another child tragically passed sway in Hampshire after being with an invasive Group A Streptococcal (iGAS) infection.
They attended Morelands Primary School in Crookhorn Lane, in Waterlooville.
