An increase in Strep A and scarlet fever cases in the UK - which have led to nine children dying - is worrying parents.
Scarlet fever is caused by the Strep A bacteria and is fairly common. Usually, scarlet fever just a mild illness, but it is highly infectious and can, in rare cases, develop into a more serious condition called invasive Group A strep (iGAS).
In the North East, there were a total of 59 scarlet fever cases in the seven days to December 4 and 34 in the previous week. Just one North East case developed into the iGAS Grouap A strep.
