A further FIVE children die from Strep A as the UK death toll rises to 24

Five more children have died from Strep A as the bug continues to engulf post-lockdown Britain.

Data from the UK Health Authority (UKHSA) shows that 21 children in England have died from the usually mild bacterial infection.

Two children in Wales and one in Northern Ireland have also died, bringing the UK death toll to 24 so far this winter.

The victims are Muhammad Ibrahim Ali, a four-year-old boy from Buckinghamshire, and Hannah Roap, seven, from Wales.

Strep A bacteria can cause a number of other infections, including impetigo, scarlet fever and strep throat

While the vast majority of infections are relatively mild, in extremely rare cases the bacteria can cause invasive group A streptococci (iGAS).

What are the symptoms of Strep A? How does it spread? And is it the same as scarlet fever? Everything you need to know about the killer virus sweeping Britain

What is Strep A?

Group A Streptococci (Group A Strep or Strep A) can cause many different infections.

The bacteria are commonly found in the throat and on the skin, and some people have no symptoms.

Infections caused by Strep A range from mild illness to severe and fatal illness.

These include the skin infection impetigo, scarlet fever and strep throat.

While the vast majority of infections are relatively mild, the bacteria sometimes cause an illness called invasive group A streptococcal disease.

READ MAILONLINE’S FULL Q&A ABOUT STREP A.

Although low, the number of children in the UK who have died from Strep A is higher than expected for this time of year.

27 young people under the age of 18 died from the disease in the last bad winter of 2017/18.

Strep A bacteria can cause a number of other infections, including impetigo, scarlet fever and strep throat.

While the vast majority of infections are relatively mild, in extremely rare cases the bacteria can cause invasive group A streptococci (iGAS).

Two of the most serious forms of this invasive disease are necrotizing fasciitis and streptococcal toxic shock syndrome. Both can kill.

Data suggests that the number of iGAS cases is already up to five times higher than last winter – which was unusually quiet.

However, the values ​​already observed this season exceeded all peak values ​​of the last six years.

There is usually a surge in iGAS cases every three to four years, but social distancing during the Covid pandemic is thought to have broken that cycle.

Some experts have suggested that this may have led to reduced immunity to Strep A in some young people – with a large number of children never having been exposed to the bacteria in their lives.

According to the World Health Organization, high levels of other respiratory viruses — including influenza, RSV and norovirus — can put children at greater risk for strep A co-infections, making them more vulnerable to serious illness.

DR Colin Brown, UKHSA Deputy Director, said: “I understand how this sharp increase in scarlet fever and laryngitis can be worrying for parents.

“However, the condition is easily treated with antibiotics and it is rare for a child to become more seriously ill.

“Most winter illnesses can be treated at home and NHS.UK has information to help parents care for children with minor illnesses.

“NHS services are under immense pressure this winter, but please visit NHS.UK, contact 111 online or your GP if your child has symptoms of scarlet fever or laryngitis so they can be assessed for treatment.”

Last week, experts revealed that five times more penicillin prescriptions had been issued compared to the previous three weeks.

They said some forms of antibiotics could be placed on a “shortage protocol” so pharmacists could offer worried parents alternatives, rather than forcing them to go to other pharmacies or return to their GP for a new prescription. ask.

Speaking at a webinar for clinicians on Strep A, Professor Susan Hopkins, Senior Medical Adviser at the UKHSA, said: ‘We’ve had a lot of antibiotics for it.

“In the last few days I have been told that we are using five times more penicillin than three weeks ago.

And it is clear that as long as we continue to use this volume, our inventory and supplies will not last.

“We always have supplies for a few weeks and in reserve, but not months, so having more supplies is important.”

However, she stressed that there is an “abundance” of antibiotics that can be used in addition to penicillin to treat Strep A and that “there is absolutely no risk of seriously ill children being put in a position where they cannot be treated not.” .

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From the “tempered” seven-year-old whose father was desperate to save her with CPR, to the four-year-old who loved to explore: Strep A victims so far

Muhammad Ibrahim Ali

The four-year-old attended Oakridge School and Nursery in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire.

He died of cardiac arrest at home in mid-November after contracting Strep A.

He was prescribed antibiotics.

His mother, Shabana Kousar, told the Bucks Free Press: “The loss is great and nothing can replace it.

“He was very helpful around the house and quite adventurous, he loved exploring the forest school and enjoyed it, his best day was a Monday and said Monday was the best day of the week.

Muhammad Ibrahim Ali, who attended Oakridge School and Nursery in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, died after contracting the bacterial infection

Hannah calls

The “bubbly” and “beautiful” seven-year-old is the only child to die from Strep A in Wales so far.

Her devastated parents told how their “hearts were broken into a thousand pieces.”

The first signs of infection were mild. Hannah’s father, Abul, took his daughter to the doctor after her cough worsened overnight.

She was prescribed steroids and sent home, but died less than 12 hours later.

Mr Roap remembers how he desperately tried to revive his child: “She stopped breathing at 8pm, but we didn’t know straight away because she was sleeping.

“I did CPR, I tried to revive her but it didn’t work. Paramedics came and resumed CPR, but it was too late.”

Mr Roap said the family were “absolutely devastated” and were awaiting answers from the hospital.

The family believes that if she had been given antibiotics initially, she would have survived.

Hanna Roap, who attended Victoria Primary School in Penarth, Wales, died last month after contracting Strep A. Her family say they are “traumatized” by her death.

Stella Lily McCorkindale

Five-year-old Stella-Lily McCokindale died after contracting Strep A, the first death from the infection in Northern Ireland.

She died in the Royal Belfast Hospital on December 5.

In a tribute on social media, her father Robert said the couple “loved every minute” they spent together on scooters and bike rides.

“If prayers, thoughts, feelings and love could have worked, she would have walked out of the hospital with her father’s hand,” he said.

Stella-Lily attended Black Mountain Primary School, which said she was “a bright and talented little girl” and described her death as a “tragic loss”.

Five-year-old Stella-Lily McCokindale, who attended Black Mountain Primary School in Belfast, died in early December after contracting Strep A

Jax Albert Jeffreys

A five-year-old boy who died of Strep A was misdiagnosed with the flu, his family said.

Jax Albert Jefferys, of Waterlooville, Hampshire, died on December 1.

His mother, Charlene, told how she sought medical advice three times in the four days before Jax’s death and was told he had Influenza A. She described Jax as a “sassy little guy”.

Later tests showed that he did have Strep A.

Jax Albert Jefferys, a five-year-old from Waterlooville, Hampshire, died of Strep A on December 1.