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A pupil has died at a school in Sussex after suffering from a suspected infection with an aggressive strain of Strep A.
The UK Health Security Agency said the child attended Hove Park School and UKHSA experts were working with the city council following the death.
UKHSA South East Health Protection Consultant Dr. Rachel Hornigold said: “We are very saddened to hear of the death of a young child and our thoughts are with his family, friends and the local community.
“Infected with Group A The streptococcus bacterium usually causes a sore throat, scarlet fever, or skin rash, and is passed by physical contact or by droplets from sneezing or coughing.
“In very rare cases, the infection can become invasive and enter parts of the body where the bacteria are not normally found, which can be serious.
“We will implement public health actions, including advising the city council and school community.”
The child is the 16th to die in the UK since September after contracting strep A.
On Thursday, UKSHA said the number of deaths in the UK was has increased to 15. This Death of 4-year-old child Also associated with an aggressive form of strep A in Ireland.
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The child’s age and gender were not disclosed; However Hove Park School is a secondary school, meaning the child will be over 11 years of age.
An 8-year-old boy in London was the first secondary school child to die from strep A earlier this week.
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Parents are urged to watch for the symptoms of a strep infection – what are they?
Alastair Hill, director of public health at Brighton and Hove City Council, said: “We are working with the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and Hove Park School following the death of a student at the school.
“We extend our heartfelt condolences to the family, friends and the entire school community who will be deeply affected by the very tragic loss of this young child, and we extend our support to them at this incredibly sad time.
“While we cannot comment on individual cases, we ask that the family’s privacy be respected.
“As a precaution, we are working closely with the school to raise awareness among parents and carers about the signs and symptoms of group A streptococcal infection, and what to do if a child develops this, including invasive group A streptococcal disease (iGAS). Included. ).”
Strep is ‘common and treatable’
UKHSA has said that There is no current evidence that a new strain of strep A is circulating And the increase in cases is largely due to higher amounts of circulating bacteria and increased social mixing.
Meanwhile, the heads of the Royal College of Paediatrics, the Royal College of Emergency Medicine and the Royal College of GPs have issued a joint letter reassuring the public that strep is common and treatable.
His letter said: “The increasing number of infections is causing concern among parents. As with any winter period, there are many viruses that cause sore throats, colds and coughs and these should usually be resolved without medical intervention.
“As a parent, if you think your child is seriously ill, you should trust your own judgment.”
They added that most children are able to recover without the need for antibiotics.
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Pharmacists have dismissed government claims that the UK has a good supply of antibiotics
England’s chief pharmaceutical officer has admitted that local pharmacies may be short of some antibiotics to treat strep infections.
But David Webb also said that nationally, there were “adequate” stocks as he sought to reassure parents worried about the current outbreak.
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