Strep A - live: Scarlet fever cases rise tenfold amid fears of GPs antibiotics shortage

Cases of scarlet fever have soared tenfold this year, official figures show amid an increase in Strep A infections.

Most recent data published by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) shows there had been around 23,000 incidents of the infection this year up until last week, compared to just 2,323 during the same period in 2021.

Scarlet fever is caused by the bacteria called group A streptococcus. Though usually a mild illness, it is highly infectious.

It comes after the health secretary insisted there was no issue with the supply of antibiotics used to treat Strep A from manufacturers – though he conceded some GPs may face shortages while stock is moved around.

Steve Barclay told Sky News: “Sometimes, GPs can have particular surges if they’ve got a lot of demand in an area, and that’s quite routine, we can move the stock around our depots.

“As of last night when we checked (with suppliers), they said they could reassure us that they’ve got good stock and were moving that around to meet demand.”

Key Points

• Scarlet fever cases rise tenfold in a year as Strep A infections soar

• Ten invasive Strep A cases recorded by UKSHA last week

• Barclay claims UK has ‘good’ antibiotic supply amid shortage fears

• Two children hospitalised in County Down, says headteacher

• Primary school pupil dies from Strep A in Belfast as death toll rises to nine

• Plea from parents of 4 year-old who died of Strep A

Strep A outbreak: Everything we know as nine children die of bacterial infection

13:15 , Emily Atkinson

Seven children have now died from a bacterial infection after outbreaks at a number of schools.

A primary school pup from Belfast is the latest victim of Strep A, becoming the ninth child to have also passed away from the bacterial infection in recent weeks.

Health authorities are now investigating the recent increase in Strep A cases.

Parents have been urged to be vigilant and stay on the look out for potential symptoms.

But what do we know about the outbreak so far? Zoe Tidman has the details:

All we know about Strep A outbreak as nine children die of bacterial infection

Watch: Pharmacists say penicillin supply is ‘patchy’ amid Strep A outbreak

12:55 , Emily Atkinson

Strep A: Four-year-old Camilla Rose Burns off ventilator but still fighting infection

12:35 , Emily Atkinson

A four-year-old girl who was left fighting for her life after contracting a bacterial infection that has killed at least nine others has come off the ventilator but is still battling the illness.

Camila Rose Burns, of Bolton, Greater Manchester, is now breathing independently without the need for mechanical support after contracting a Strep A infection just over a week ago, which progressed into a potentially life-threatening invasive disease.

Despite Camila’s progress, she is still fighting the infection and her chest has not fully cleared. She remains in intensive care, and is still on lots of medication, including dialysis, along with other support while her organs recover.

Read our report in full here:

Strep A: Four-year-old Camilla Rose Burns off ventilator but still fighting infection

Strep A: ‘Patchy’ penicillin supply as demand for antibiotics rises

12:15 , Emily Atkinson

Pharmacists have said they are struggling to get penicillin, a first line drug used to treat Strep A, saying supply has been “patchy”.

At least nine children have died across the UK in recent weeks after contracting the bacterial infection, which usually only causes mild illness but can, in rare cases, develop into an invasive disease can prove fatal.

Pharmacists have reported issues getting liquid penicillin, with two different industry bodies raising concerns over the drug’s supply.

Zoe Tidman reports:

Strep A: ‘Patchy’ penicillin supply as demand for antibiotics rises

Scarlet fever cases rise tenfold in a year as Strep A infections soar

11:46 , Emily Atkinson

Scarlet fever cases have risen tenfold this year to outstrip last year by thousands, official figures show.

There had been around 23,000 incidents of the infection - caused by the Strep A bacteria - this year up until last week.

This was compared to just 2,323 during the same period in 2021.

But this year, there were around 1,100 cases reported last week alone, according to official data published on Tuesday.

Zoe Tidman reports:

Scarlet fever cases rise tenfold in a year as Strep A infections soar

Mother of baby who died after Strep A infection warns parents to look out for key signs

11:14 , Emily Atkinson

The mother of a baby who died after a Strep A infection has urged parents to “trust their instincts” as the current UK outbreak claimed its ninth life.

Melissa Mead’s one-year-old son William died after weeks of a lingering cough and concerns dismissed by doctors.

She urged parents to seek advice if something does not seem right - including if a high temperature is combined with other symptoms - as concerns mount over Strep A cases in the UK.

Zoe Tidman reports:

Mother of baby who died after Strep A infection warns parents to look for these signs

Schools send advice to parents amid Strep A deaths

10:49 , Emily Atkinson

Schools and nurseries are issuing health and safety advice to parents and carers after a surge in cases of Strep A, reportedly causing the deaths of up to nine children in England and Wales.

Strep A, or Group A Streptococcus or Streptococcus pyogenes, is a bacteria commonly found in the nose and throat and can cause impetigo, strep throat and scarlet fever.

Parents and carers are being warned to be aware of symptoms such as muscle aches and tenderness, and to prevent the spread of bacteria by practicing good hygiene.

Furvah Shah reports:

What advice have schools sent to parents about Strep A?

Watch: What is Strep A and what are the symptoms?

10:27 , Emily Atkinson

Strep A cases in your area as hundreds of infections reported across UK

10:01 , Emily Atkinson

Parents have been warned to be on the lookout for symptoms after a rise in infections caused by the Strep A bacteria.

At least nine children have died with an invasive form of the bacteria in recent weeks, while cases of scarlet fever, which is caused by Strep A infection, have skyrocketed.

Liam James takes a look through cases of Strep A in your area:

Strep A cases in your area as hundreds of infections reported across UK

‘Patchy’ Penicillin stocks ‘all over country’, says pharmaceutical boss

09:40 , Emily Atkinson

A pharmaceutical boss spoke of “patchy” Penicillin stocks as she inisted she does not know where the government get their “facts” from regarding medical shortages.

It comes after health secretary Steve Barclay said earlier on Wednesday that Department of Health and Social Care officials were “not aware of any shortages” of antibiotics used to treat Strep A.

Dr Leyla Hannbeck, CEO of the Association of Independent Multiple Pharmacies, told Times Radio: “There is patchy supply and we have been checking regularly. And when you go online to order these medicines, particualrly the liquid ones for children, you get these red marks basically saying that the product is out of stock. and this is happening all over the country.

“Sometimes the stock becomes available and you order it. But as soon as you order it, it goes out and you can’t order any more.

“We know that demand is high and we have raised this with the Department for Health.. I don’t know where they get their facts from. But we on the frontline are seeing this and reporting this. We simply cannot get the products. It’s patchy.”

Parents urged not to demand antibiotics without prescription

09:20 , Emily Atkinson

The Chair of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society has urged parents worried about their child in light of a recent surge in Strep A cases not to ask pharmacists for antibiotics without a prescription amid shortage fears.

Thorrun Govind’s comments came as pharmacies say they’re struggling to maintain stocks of Penicillin while dealing with the current Strep A outbreak.

“In my personal capacity as a pharmacist ,we have got these items in and we are providing them to the public,” she told Sky News.

“We are, of course, extremely busy as we always are at this time of year,” she said as she urged parents not to come to pharmacies asking for antibiotics without a prescription.

She continued: “The government picture we’re being told is there are no stock shortages of these antibiotics. But what I would say is we’re well versed in dealing with stock shortages.”

She said the key message for parents worried about Strep A was that pharmacists and patients need to “safeguard” antibiotics for when they’re most appropriate for the individual.

Ten invasive Strep A cases recorded by UKSHA last week

08:47 , Emily Atkinson

A total of 10 invasive Group A Strep cases were reported in England and Wales last week, latest UKHSA figures show.

My colleague Zoe Tidman is currently reviewing data from the week ending 4 December, which catalogues invasive Strep A cases in three outer London locations (Bromley, Hillingdon, Hounslow), Lewes in East Sussex, Newport, Plymouth, Rochdale in Greater Manchester, South Holland in Lincolnshire, Stafford, and Wiltshire.

A further eight cases were recorded in the week previous. Areas listed are Croydon and Ealing in outer London, Knowsley in Merseyside, North Somerset, Oldham in Greater Manchester, Redcar and Cleveland, Rushmoor in Hampshire, and the Vale of Glamorgan.

The UKHSA also recorded 1131 scarlet fever cases last week - compared to 991, 950 and 725 in previous weeks.

Barclay claims UK has ‘good’ antibiotic supply amid shortage fears

08:20 , Emily Atkinson

There is no issue with the supply of antibiotics used to treat Strep A from manufacturers, the health secretary has claimed –though he conceded some GPs may face shortages while stock is moved around.

Steve Barclay told Sky News: “I checked with the team last night - we have an established team in the department that does this on a permanent basis - and they reassured me we have good supply.

“The medical suppliers are required to notify us if they’ve got shortages.

“Now, sometimes, GPs can have particular surges if they’ve got a lot of demand in an area, and that’s quite routine, we can move the stock around our depots.

“As of last night when we checked (with suppliers), they said they could reassure us that they’ve got good stock and were moving that around to meet demand.

“Obviously parents are concerned at the moment because they see the stories.

“One in five children have this - Strep A - naturally, complications are very rare, but it’s important that we’re vigilant.”

Steve Barclay ‘not aware’ of any Strep A antibiotic shortages

08:07 , Emily Atkinson

Health secretary Steve Barclay has said that Department of Health and Social Care officials are “not aware of any shortages” of antibiotics used to treat Strep A.

He told Times Radio: “I think the wider issue for many of your listeners is ‘are there manufacturers saying that they’ve got shortages of supply?’, and I can only work on the best information in terms of what the team have told me, and they’ve said they’ve been in very regular contact with our suppliers, that those suppliers have said that they’re not aware of shortages.

“But, obviously, sometimes they need to move that stock around and that’s part of normal practice. We do that on a regular basis.”

Government in ‘close contact’ with suppliers over antibiotic provision, says Barclay

07:40 , Emily Atkinson

The health secretary has said the Department of Health is in “close contact” with medical suppliers over the provision of antibiotics amid concerns about Strep A outbreaks.

Steve Barclay told GB News: “We’re in very close contact with our medical suppliers.

“They’re under a duty to notify us if there are supply shortages.

“They have not done so as yet.

“Clearly we keep this under constant review. We have a team within the department that is always looking at medical supplies and these issues.

“Of course, it’s important that people are vigilant in terms of the concerns with Strep A. If they have concerns about a child that is ill, there’s some very clear guidance on the NHS website.”

Can adults get Strep A? Cases rise across UK as nine children die from infection

07:20 , Emily Atkinson

Nine children have now died from Strep A amidst a growing number of infections in recent weeks.

But why is Strep A spreading amongst children and can adults contract it? Eleanor Noyce has the details here:

Strep A infections are increasing amongst children - but can adults contract it too?

Mother ‘terrified’ as daughter fights for life with Strep A infection

07:02 , Andy Gregory

Mother waits 12 hours for call back on NHS 111

06:01 , Andy Gregory

Our health correspondent Rebecca Thomas reports:

Amid a crisis in NHS 111, one mother, Holly Ramsey, told The Independent at the end of November she waited 12 hours for a call back for her children who were later treated with antibiotics for suspected Strep A.

Ms Ramsey had to go to NHS 111 online and ask for a call back after calling NHS 111 to be told there was a high demand for calls. But the automated online service, which looks at symptoms you’ve entered, directed the mother-of-three to A&E, which she said she knew was too “drastic”.

After getting through to NHS 111 she had to wait 12 hours to be called back for advice on her six-year-old twins, and a further 12 hours when her five-month-old daughter also showed symptoms.

She secured a GP appointment for the next day, at which point they were given antibiotics because doctors suspected Scarlet Fever, but Holly then became ill herself, having to wait another 17 hours for a callback.

Ms Ramsey said: “What really upset me is if didn’t have my mum there helping and a husband, with the children, I don’t know what I would have done. I was so ill I couldn’t get out of bed, and I couldn’t even talk because of the pain in my throat. It’s just awful knowing that you don’t get that call back.”

Voices | As a parent, Strep A is all I can think about

05:03 , Andy Gregory

In this column, Independent Voices editor Victoria Richards writes:

“This morning, I received a letter from the UK health and security agency informing me that the primary school my children go to in east London has several reported cases of scarlet fever and impetigo; which are both caused by the bacteria Group A streptococcus – the same strain that has resulted in some child deaths in severe cases.

“To say I’m worried would be an understatement: not least when both of my children have reported sore throats and aching tummies in the last couple of days; and the symptoms of scarlet fever include sore throat, headache, fever, nausea and vomiting. These symptoms are common, and also consistent with the winter bugs that parents know to expect, year on year.

“Upon reading the latest news, I was immediately filled with the desire to haul both of my children out of the classroom; to strip them down and inspect every inch of their bodies for a telltale fine red rash; to run my fingertips over their skin to try to see whether they have any patches that feel like “sandpaper”. I want, in other words, to do what every parent and carer wants: to keep them safe from harm.

“But panic doesn’t help anyone, we all know that.”

Opinion: As a parent, Strep A is all I can think about

Downing Street urges parents to be ‘on the lookout’

03:59 , Andy Gregory

Downing Street has urged parents to be on the “lookout” for symptoms after the rise in infections caused by the Strep A bacteria.

Officials said they can “fully understand” that parents are concerned by rising cases but stressed the NHS is “well prepared” for such situations.

Downing Street urges parents to be ‘on the lookout’ amid rising cases of Strep A

Exclusive: NHS 111 crisis adds pressure to health system as Strep A calls spike

03:00 , Andy Gregory

In case you missed it, our health correspondent Rebecca Thomas revealed claims yesterday that the crisis in NHS 111 had left vulnerable patients unable to the get help they need while staff struggle to cope with the volume of calls.

Over the weekend there was a surge in 111 calls in relation to Strep A symptoms, staff told The Independent, warning that as call numbers grow, their jobs have become like “working in a sweatshop”, with targets for the number of calls being put before patient safety.

NHS 111 crisis adds pressure to health system as Strep A calls spike

How many cases are there across the UK?

02:01 , Andy Gregory

My colleague Liam James has this report on the geographical spread of cases in the UK:

Strep A cases in your area as hundreds of infections reported across UK

Mother waits nearly 10 hours in A&E with daughter

01:02 , Andy Gregory

A mother whose daughters have both contracted Strep A is warning other parents to be aware of the symptoms, advising: “If something doesn't seem right, go straight to the doctor.”

The woman, from Llandudno, Conwy county, initially thought her elder daughter – who has scarlet fever – had a chest infection which then “turned into some kind of sickness bug, so I thought she had one of those 24-hour things”.

“But after four days of hardly eating, I knew it wasn't just a bug. At times she seemed OK. Then her temp would spike to 40C,” she told the BBC.

She took her daughter to A&E, where she had to wait nearly 10 hours before her daughter was seen and given a prescription for penicillin, with the mother advised to keep all of her children off school.

Ms Jones' youngest daughter aged three, also caught the infection and is being treated with antibiotics, the broadcaster reports.

Not yet enough evidence to link Covid rules to Strep A outbreak, expert says

Tuesday 6 December 2022 23:56 , Andy Gregory

There is not yet enough data to support the hypothesis that Covid restrictions have played a role in the early arrival of Strep A season, a public health expert has said.

“Why are we seeing a steep increase in cases, at a different time of year compared with before the pandemic? The scientific process involves waiting for clear data, analysing this data and testing it against various explanations,” Devi Sridhar of the University of Edinburgh wrote in The Guardian.

“But sadly, those with political or ideological agendas have been quick to fit this into their pre-existing narrative: some have said it’s a consequence of lockdown and children not being exposed enough to diseases and building up an “immunity debt”, while others have said it’s due to weakened immune systems from prior Covid-19 infection, given that the majority of children have now had Covid-19.

“Neither of these hypotheses has enough data to support it yet. And in fact one could also argue that restrictions on social mixing and the reduced transmission of all infectious diseases delayed strep A infection in children, including severe cases.

“A similar argument can be made for the benefits of delaying RSV infection in infants, which can trigger recurrent wheezing and asthma during childhood.”

Parents warned to look out for these symptoms

Tuesday 6 December 2022 23:00 , Andy Gregory

My colleague Emily Atkinson has this report on the symptoms that parent have been told to watch out for:

Strep A: Parents warned to look out for these symptoms as scarlet fever cases rise

Watch: What is Strep A and what are the symptoms?

Tuesday 6 December 2022 21:57 , Andy Gregory

Irish minister says ‘heart goes out’ to bereaved family of child aged 4

Tuesday 6 December 2022 21:01 , Andy Gregory

An investigation is being carried out into the death of a child in Ireland to see if it is linked to the 'Strep A' bacterial infection.

Asked about the case, education minister Simon Harris said: “I need to be very careful on this because this is an issue that I haven’t been briefed on and I don’t want to put any information into the public domain that is wrong or ill-informed because I’m sure lots of parents are looking at media reports both in here in the Republic and also in the North.

“I’m sure [they] are very, very concerned and our hearts go out to those families involved.

“I’ve no doubt that the minister for health, the Department of Health, and our health and surveillance structures in this country will be monitoring the situation very closely and probably linking with their colleagues in the north as well.”

He added: “I’ve no doubt as soon as they have more information that they will update the public and particularly parents and schools.”

Lack of Covid mixing probably ‘bringing forward normal scarlet fever season’, top health official says

Tuesday 6 December 2022 20:02 , Andy Gregory

A lack of mixing due to the Covid pandemic plus susceptibility in children are probably “bringing forward the normal scarlet fever season” from spring to this side of Christmas, according to the deputy director of the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).

“There isn’t something that is particularly new or novel about the bacteria that are causing the infections that we’re seeing at the moment,” Dr Colin Brown told Sky News.

Health workers can give groups of children antibiotics in outbreak areas

Tuesday 6 December 2022 19:00 , Andy Gregory

Local health protection teams can give antibiotics to groups of children where there has been a Strep A outbreak, the deputy director of the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has said.

There is “long-standing guidance” that enables health protection teams to assess the situation in schools and nurseries to consider antibiotic prophylaxis for “either a group of children in certain classes or an entire nursery school”, Dr Colin Brown told Sky News.

And he stressed that there is no evidence to suggest there has been a change to the circulating strains of Strep A to make them more severe.

Spate of serious Strep A cases are ‘an enormous tragedy'

Tuesday 6 December 2022 17:58 , Andy Gregory

People are right to be worried by the recent spate of serious Strep A cases, which is “an enormous tragedy for these families”, a professor of paediatrics at the University of Bristol has said.

“We’re not used, in our society, to losing the lives of previously healthy children – this is something that’s very shocking and concerning,” Adam Finn told Times Radio.

“What we’ve got to do is get the balance right here; on the one hand not alarm people whose children are mildly ill – and there are a lot of mildly ill children around at the moment – and at the same time help people and support people to seek care and attention when their children become seriously ill, relentlessly sicker and sicker as the hours go by. Those are the children that need to be urgently seen.”

Children with “run-of-the-mill” viral infections can feel unwell and then better again, and “things go up and down”, and they continue to eat and drink, he said, adding: “Children who’ve got invasive bacterial infection, they don’t have those episodes of feeling better – they just get worse and worse.

“They stop eating, they stop responding, they sleep a lot. They might complain, if they are awake, of aches and pains and headaches. They might have a rash or a sore throat or tummy ache, but they just get sicker and sicker. When you see that progressive decline, that’s the time to get the child to medical attention.”

School near Hartlepool confirms two cases of Strep A

Tuesday 6 December 2022 17:01 , Andy Gregory

St Peter's Elwick Church of England Primary School near Hartlepool has said that two children have been confirmed to have Strep A.

The school wrote to parents on Monday assuring them that staff were following public health advice and urged them to seek medical help if they were worried about their child's health.

Strep A levels in Scotland ‘do not exceed previous peaks’, says health secretary

Tuesday 6 December 2022 16:02 , Andy Gregory

The number of Strep A infections in Scotland has risen but there have been no deaths, Holyrood’s health secretary has said.

Public Health Scotland said on Monday that there had been eight reports of invasive Group A Strep (iGas) infections in Scotland – the rarest and most severe types of infections – in children under the age of 10.

“Reports of Group A Strep infections, or Gas as it’s known, have increased right across Scotland,” Humza Yousaf told MSPs.

“There have been no reported deaths in Scotland [from] related Group A Strep or indeed invasive Group A Strep conditions. I understand, of course, that the reporting of Gas conditions will be concerning but let me offer some reassurance.

“The vast majority of Gas infections present as mild illness that is easily treated by penicillin or other antibiotics and invasive infections are, thankfully, rare.”

Mr Yousaf added that peaks in Gas conditions are expected during winter and spring, but stressed “current numbers do not exceed previous spikes”, and said that health services are “on alert” to Strep A – with guidance being drawn up for nurseries and schools.

Victoria Richards: As a parent, Strep A is all I can think about

Tuesday 6 December 2022 15:25 , Emily Atkinson

This morning, I received a letter from the UK health and security agency informing me that the primary school my children go to in east London has several reported cases of scarlet fever and impetigo; which are both caused by the bacteria Group A streptococcus – the same strain that has resulted in some child deaths in severe cases.

To say I’m worried would be an understatement: not least when both of my children have reported sore throats and aching tummies in the last couple of days.

Opinion: As a parent, Strep A is all I can think about

Belfast school names ‘bright and talented little girl’ who died from Strep A

Tuesday 6 December 2022 15:04 , Emily Atkinson

A Belfast school has identified the “bright and talented little girl” who died from Strep A on Monday as Stella-Lily McCorkindale.

Posting to Facebook this afternoon, Black Mountain Primary School said: “Sadly, the governors, staff and students of Black Mountain Primary School have been informed of the untimely passing of one of our P2 pupils, Stella-Lily McCorkindale.

“This is a tragic loss to the Black Mountain Primary School family and our school community, and the thoughts of the entire school are with the Stella-Lily’s family and friends at this sad and difficult time.

“Stella-Lily was a very bright and talented little girl and very popular with both staff and children and will be greatly missed by everyone at school.

“To assist in supporting our pupils and staff at this sad time, additional trained staff from the Education Authority Critical Incident Response Team have been engaged and will be providing support to the school.

“We recognise that this news may cause worry amongst our school community and we want to reassure parents that we continue to work closely with the Public Health Agency at this time.”

Strep A link to death of four-year-old child in Ireland being investigated

Tuesday 6 December 2022 14:35 , Emily Atkinson

An investigation is being carried out into the death of a child in Ireland to see if it is linked to the Strep A bacterial infection.

Dr Eamonn O’Moore, Director for National Health Protection at the HSE and the Health Protection Surveillance Centre, confirmed that Strep A could be linked to the four-year-old child’s death.

“As far as we understand it at this time, we have been receiving reports of a death in a four-year-old, and as far as we understand it among a number of other conditions that are being considered as contributory factors, there may be a consideration of that invasive Group A streptococcal infection.”

Strep A link to death of four-year-old child in Ireland being investigated

No antibiotic shortage to deal with Strep A, says minister

Tuesday 6 December 2022 14:14 , Emily Atkinson

There is “no shortage of antibiotics” to deal with the rise in Strep A infections, a minister has said.

Labour MP for Eltham Clive Efford said parents had “concerns about the availability of antibiotics”.

He asked: “Does the secretary of state believe that this is a moment where the government needs to make a statement and show clear leadership to really calm people down and reassure them about the situation?”

Health minister Maria Caulfield replied: “We want to reassure parents if their children do have symptoms and they are concerned to seek help. GPs are ready, A&E departments are ready, and also we have directors of public health proactively going into schools where there are cases.

“There is no shortage of antibiotics, we want to reassure people of that, and we are keeping an eye on that on a daily basis.”

Shadow health minister raises reports of 'antibiotic shortages’

Tuesday 6 December 2022 13:53 , Emily Atkinson

Shadow health minister Feryal Clark raised reports of patients “struggling to see a doctor” and “shortages of antibiotics” amid concerns over Strep A.

She asked: “Members across the House will have been shocked and appalled by the recent deaths of children from Strep A and our thoughts are with all those families affected.

“Cases are on the rise and as we head into winter it is vital that parents are able to get their children the care they so desperately need. The shortage of GPs means too many are struggling to see a doctor and we are now seeing reports of shortages of antibiotics too.

“So what advice can the minister give parents if their children are exhibiting symptoms but they can’t get a GP appointment, and what assurances can they give on the supply and availability of antibiotics?”

How contagious is Strep A and how does it spread?

Tuesday 6 December 2022 13:34 , Emily Atkinson

Nine children are confirmed to have died from Strep A in recent weeks, and the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has confirmed there has been an increase in infections.

The latest confirmed fatality was a pupil who attended a primary school in Belfast who died on Monday after being diagnosed with Strep A. A statement from Black Mountain Primary School said the schoolgirl developed a severe illness last week and was treated at the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children, where she had been in intensive care.

While the vast majority of infections are relatively mild, sometimes the bacteria causes a life-threatening illness called invasive Group A Streptococcal disease, as with the Belfast case.

Read more here:

How contagious is Strep A and how does it spread?

Earlier peak for Strep A cases this year, says Barclay

Tuesday 6 December 2022 13:14 , Emily Atkinson

The NHS is “seeing an earlier peak than usual in terms of cases” of Strep A, health secretary Steve Barclay has said, adding “there is no new strain”.

Responding to a question in the Commons from shadow health minister Feryal Clark, he told MPs: “(She) does raise an important issue and I know it is one that is concerning to many families across the country, and it’s therefore helpful to be able to just reassure the House in terms of our response on that.

“Firstly, whilst GPs are important in this, so are directors of public health and they are leading the response in areas including the liaison with schools. We are seeing an earlier peak than usual in terms of cases, these cases.

“We believe this is due to lower exposure during the pandemic which has then (meant) to lower immunity. There is no new strain and that I think is one of the key points in terms of reassurance, but the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has declared a national standard and that enables them to better co-ordinate our response including across schools.”

What to do if you think your child has Strep A

Tuesday 6 December 2022 12:50 , Emily Atkinson

Nine children have now died from an invasive condition caused by Strep A, it has been confirmed.

Health officials are now urging parents to look out for symptoms of scarlet fever in their children following a spike in cases driven by a recent increase in Strep A infections.

Data released by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) indicates that the number of scarlet fever cases remains significantly higher than would typically be expected at this time of year.

My colleague Joanna Whitehead reports:

What to do if you think your child has Strep A

UKHSA urges doctors to lower threshold for antibiotic prescription for Strep A sufferers

Tuesday 6 December 2022 12:30 , Emily Atkinson

The UKHSA has advised medics to have a low threshold for prescribing antibiotics for children who may be suffering infection linked to Strep A.

On Friday, it said GPs should also “maintain a low threshold for prompt referral” to hospital of any children presenting with persistent or worsening symptoms.

Meanwhile, updated guidance on scarlet fever outbreaks, which are caused by Strep A, published by the UKHSA in October sets out how antibiotics can be used as prophylaxis but a decision is taken with local outbreak control teams (OCTs) on “a case-by-case basis”.

It added: “It can be considered in exceptional circumstances by the OCT; for example, when there are reports of severe outcomes, or hospitalisations.”

Parents warned to look out for these symptoms as scarlet fever cases rise

Tuesday 6 December 2022 12:10 , Emily Atkinson

Health officials are urging parents to look out for symptoms of scarlet fever in their children following a surge in cases driven by a recent increase in Strep A infections.

According to the most recent data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), the number of scarlet fever cases remains higher than would typically be expected at this time of year. There were 851 cases reported in week 46 compared with an average of 186 in the preceding years, the agency said.

The illness is caused by a species of bacteria called Group A Streptococcus. These bacteria also cause other respiratory and skin infections, such as Strep throat and impetigo.

Read our report in full here:

Strep A: Parents warned to look out for these symptoms as scarlet fever cases rise

Strep A ‘circulating’ in across whole of UK, says health official

Tuesday 6 December 2022 11:51 , Emily Atkinson

Dr Philip Fields, a consultant at the Public Health Agency, said Strep A is circulating within the UK, including Northern Ireland.

“For the majority of people it will be an unpleasant infection that will resolve, but sadly, as we have heard with the tragic news, it can lead occasionally to very severe illness,” he told the BBC.

“We are keen to communicate to parents and schools what to watch out for for scarlet fever, that is, a sore throat, a high fever - a temperature above 38 degrees - or the appearance of a red raised rash on the skin, sandpapery or leathery feel to it. If any of those develop in an adult or a child, we’re encouraging them to speak to their doctor for further advice.”

He said the proportion of serious illness so far is “broadly in line with what we have seen during previous spikes”, but said they will keep the data and surveillance under constant review to watch for any unexpected increases.

Two children hospitalised in Co Down, says headteacher

Tuesday 6 December 2022 11:21 , Emily Atkinson

Two children have been hospitalised with Strep A in County Down, Northern Ireland, a primary school principal said.

Michael Peacock, principal of Brackenagh West Primary School Primary School close to Kilkeel, said one child from his school remained in hospital on Tuesday.

He said 34 children out of 48 were off school that day.

“Every winter we will see quite a level of sickness at various stages, and over the last couple of weeks we have had that as usual but we have noticed last week the numbers were probably higher than normal,” he told the BBC.

“Children were starting off with a sore stomach quite a lot, they were having a temperature, they were feeling unwell, aches and pains, in many cases it sounded a little bit like the flu, but on Monday morning we discovered that quite a number of children had confirmed cases of either strep A or scarlet fever, it’s spreading quite quickly.

“At break time yesterday (Monday), I was told that two of our children had been hospitalised, so at that point I immediately contacted all of the parents, made them aware of our concerns that this was something that was potentially more serious.

“We still have a child in hospital today (Tuesday). I’ve been told that the child is on oxygen and is still quite poorly, and hasn’t been well since yesterday. We’re just praying for the child that he will be fine.”

Watch: What is Strep A and what are the symptoms?

Tuesday 6 December 2022 11:00 , Emily Atkinson

People ‘right to be worried’ about Strep A, says health expert

Tuesday 6 December 2022 10:40 , Emily Atkinson

Adam Finn, professor of paediatrics at the University of Bristol, told Times Radio that people are right to be worried after a number of children died with Strep A, saying “it’s an enormous tragedy for these families”.

“We’re not used, in our society, to losing the lives of previously healthy children - this is something that’s very shocking and concerning,” he said.

“What we’ve got to do is get the balance right here; on the one hand not alarm people whose children are mildly ill = and there are a lot of mildly-ill children around at the moment - and at the same time help people and support people to seek care and attention when their children become seriously ill, relentlessly sicker and sicker as the hours go by. Those are the children that need to be urgently seen.”

He said children with “run of the mill” viral infections can feel unwell and then better again, and “things go up and down”, and they continue to eat and drink.

“Children who’ve got invasive bacterial infection, they don’t have those episodes of feeling better - they just get worse and worse,” he said.

“They stop eating, they stop responding, they sleep a lot. They might complain, if they are awake, of aches and pains and headaches.

“They might have a rash or a sore throat or tummy ache, but they just get sicker and sicker.

“When you see that progressive decline, that’s the time to get the child to medical attention.”

Crisis in NHS 111: Mother-of-three waited 12 hours for scarlet fever call back

Tuesday 6 December 2022 10:20 , Emily Atkinson

As NHS 111 services face overwhelming demand, patients have told The Independent how they have struggled with accessing care through the service.

Holly Ramsey, from Kent, has revealed how at the end of November she faced a 12-hour wait for a call back from NHS 111 services for her poorly six-year-old twins and five-month-old baby.

She said initially when her twins were ill with a cough and fever during the evening she was directed to NHS 111 online services as the call services were experiencing “high level of demand”.

Our health correspondent Rebecca Thomas reports:

Crisis in NHS 111: Mother-of-three waited 12 hours for scarlet fever call back