What is Strep A and what are the symptoms?
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Health authorities last night confirmed the death of a four-year-old boy with Irish A strep just hours after it was reported that two children had been admitted to hospital following an outbreak of scarlet fever at a school primary school of Wales.
In the wake of the most recent death, the Health Service Executive (HSE) said it was contacting schools and childcare providers with information about Strep A infections, including scarlet fever and other viruses. winter
A total of 24 children at Brynaman Primary School in Carmarthenshire have been diagnosed with the infection, while two have been taken to hospital.
Cllr Glynog Davies, cabinet member for education and the Welsh language, reported that five schools across the county had cases of scarlet fever.
On Wednesday, it was reported that cases of scarlet fever had increased tenfold this year amid a rise in Strep A infections.
The most recent figures released by the UK Health Safety Agency (UKHSA) show that there had been around 23,000 incidents of infection this year up to last week, compared to just 2,323 during the same period in 2021.
Scarlet fever is caused by a bacterium called group A streptococcus. Although it is usually a mild disease, it is highly infectious.
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Strep A cases in your area as hundreds of infections reported in the UK
Parents have been warned to be on the lookout for symptoms following a rise in infections caused by the Strep A bacteria.
At least nine children have died from an invasive form of the bacteria in recent weeks, while cases of scarlet fever, which is caused by Strep A infection, have soared.
Concerns have been raised that cases are higher than usual for the time of year.
Liam James has the details:
Emily Atkinson December 8, 2022 8:02 am
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Irish health officials move to reassure parents after child’s death
Health authorities have moved to reassure parents after it was confirmed that an invasive form of Strep A was linked to the death of a four-year-old boy in Ireland.
The Health Service Executive (HSE) had been investigating whether invasive group A strep had been a factor in the boy’s death in the north-east of the country.
“We can now confirm that invasive group A strep infection was the cause of the infection associated with his death,” he said.
Public health staff are supporting the family and the school the child attended.
Health authorities have contacted schools and child care providers with information about Strep A infections, including scarlet fever and other winter viruses.
Chief Medical Officer Breda Smyth and health authorities have stressed that while it is a worrying time for parents, most children who become ill with a Strep A infection will have a mild illness that can be treated with antibiotics.
The advice stresses that if a child is seriously unwell, especially if it gets worse, professional medical advice should be sought.
“As a parent, if you think your child is seriously unwell, you should rely on your own judgement,” the HSE advice says.
Emily Atkinson December 8, 2022 7:28 am
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Can adults get Strep A?
Why is strep A spreading among children and can adults get it?
Yes, adults can get strep A. Scarlet fever is more common in children, but those at greater risk of scarlet fever include parents of school-aged children and those who are often in contact with children.
The NHS also notes that people at risk of iGAS include people who:
- Being in close contact with someone who has the disease
- Be over 65 years old
- Have diabetes, heart disease or cancer
- He has recently had chicken pox
- have HIV
- Use some steroids or other intravenous medications.
Eleanor Noyce December 8, 2022 7:00 am
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What to do if you think your child has Strep A
The UKHSA advises to contact NHS 111 or your GP if you suspect your child has scarlet fever, because early treatment of the disease with antibiotics is important to reduce the risk of complications such as pneumonia or an infection of the bloodstream
If your child has scarlet fever, keep him at home for at least 24 hours after starting antibiotic treatment to prevent the infection from spreading to others.
In most cases, scarlet fever will clear up on its own without medical intervention, but children can occasionally develop a bacterial infection in addition to the virus that can make them feel worse.
Joanna Whitehead has more:
Eleanor Noyce December 8, 2022 6:00 am
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Strep A: Penicillin supply ‘uneven’ as antibiotic demand rises
Pharmacists have said they are struggling to get penicillin, a first-line drug used to treat strep A, saying supply has been “uneven”.
Pharmacists have reported problems obtaining liquid penicillin, with two separate industry bodies raising concerns about the drug’s supply.
Eleanor Noyce December 8, 2022 5:00 am
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Scarlet fever cases multiply tenfold as parents scramble to find Strep A antibiotics
Strep A bacteria usually cause only mild illnesses, such as scarlet fever and pharyngitis, which are treated with antibiotics. But in rare cases, it can progress to a life-threatening disease if it enters the bloodstream.
Pharmacists say they are struggling to get antibiotics to treat Strep A infections, despite the government insisting there is no shortage.
“We are concerned because we have to turn away patients,” Dr Leyla Hannbeck, head of the Association of Multiple Pharmacies (AIMP), told The Independent.
Eleanor Noyce December 8, 2022 4:00 am
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Strep A concerns create ‘carnage’ and ‘overwhelming demand’ on NHS
NHS 111, primary care and A&E services have suffered “carnage” following the recent outbreak of Strep A cases.
Senior staff working across NHS services have warned that news of the Strep A outbreak has pushed more parents to use services at a time when demand is already at record levels.
Leading epidemiologists speaking to The Independent have warned that the outbreak, which has killed at least nine children, could only be the beginning, with peaks normally expected closer to spring.
Eleanor Noyce December 8, 2022 3:00 am
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Can I be tested for Strep A? Online shops selling out as UK infections rise
Nine children have died from Strep A in recent weeks amid a rise in infections across the UK.
In some countries, rapid Strep A tests are used to detect the bacterial infection.
The tests commonly used in the United States are not too different in design from the lateral flow tests used to rapidly diagnose Covid-19. Throat swabs taken by a doctor and results are evident within 15 minutes.
If positive, an infected patient can start a course of antibiotics immediately. If it’s negative, but the medical professional still has reason to suspect Strep A, the swab is sent to a lab for further investigation.
Eleanor Noyce December 8, 2022 02:00 am
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How to avoid Strep A and is it contagious?
The UKHSA says GAS is spread by close contact with an infected person and can be spread by coughing and sneezing or through a cut.
Some people can have the bacteria in their bodies without feeling sick or showing any symptoms of infection, and although they can spread it, the risk of spreading it is much greater when a person is unwell.
Speaking to Sky News, Dr Colin Brown, deputy director of the UKHSA, suggested that the lack of mixing due to the Covid pandemic, with changes in mixing and susceptibility in children, was likely to “pre-empt the normal season of the scarlet fever” of spring this side of Christmas.
To slow the spread of infection and better protect children, UKSHA advises maintaining good respiratory and hand hygiene.
Eleanor Noyce December 8, 2022 1:00 am
1670457525
Strep A outbreak: Everything we know as nine children die of bacterial infection
Seven children have now died from a bacterial infection following outbreaks at several schools.
A Belfast primary school puppy is the latest victim of Strep A, becoming the ninth child to also die from the bacterial infection in recent weeks.
Health authorities are now investigating the recent surge in Strep A cases.
Here’s everything we know:
Eleanor Noyce December 7, 2022 11:58 p.m