An investigation is underway into cases of Strep A after six school children are confirmed to have died from the infection in recent months.
Group A Strep are bacteria commonly found in the throat and on the skin, and usually cause mild infections that can be cleared up with a course of antibiotics. But in "very rare" circumstances, the bacteria can cause a serious and potentially deadly illness known as invasive Group A Strep if they get into the bloodstream.
The UKHSA has confirmed that reports of an increase in severe illnesses caused by lower respiratory tract Group A Strep infections in children over the past few weeks are now being investigated. But the Health Security Agency added that there is currently no evidence that a new strain is circulating, and that the rise in cases is most likely due to high amounts of social mixing and circulating bacteria with children in school for autumn term.
