Nine children have died in the United Kingdom from a common, but sometimes life-threatening infection since September. The latest victim was a five-year old girl who attended primary school. The bacteria that causes the infection is called Group A Streptococcus (GAS).
It is common to find Strep A on the skin and in the throat. It can be harmful in some cases and can even cause invasive infections that can be life-threatening. In the United Kingdom, the rare invasive forms caused by this bacteria have led to the death of several children.
A media outlet in another country reported that a Dorset child of just one year old fell into a coma because of sepsis. According to reports, the baby boy had a fever, a rash and breathing issues. The doctors misdiagnosed his condition.
Numbers
In the last two weeks, Scotland reported 437 cases of the infection. While there have been eight reported deaths in England and Wales. It is mild, sometimes asymptomatic and can lead to invasive infections such as scarlet-fever. Sometimes, the infection can enter the bloodstream and cause sepsis.
According to the latest figures from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), the number of cases of scarlet flu are higher than usual at this time of year.
Strep a and other infections
Many different infections can be caused by bacteria called group A Streptococcus. These infections can range from mild illnesses to deadly and serious diseases. These diseases can be spread by respiratory droplets or direct contact. The mild symptoms of strep throat include a sore throat, swollen tonsures, and white patches. This condition is characterized by fever and pain, but not cough. A person with strep may develop a rash, which is called scarlet fever. If the infection is severe and invasive it can cause sepsis or even death.
Why has a common illness suddenly become so deadly?
According to some experts, rising infections could be due to the immunity debt caused by the pandemic. Many children were not exposed to any diseases during the lockdown and they may have been in an overprotective environment. This could have affected their immune system.
