Strep A: School ‘devastated’ as eighth child dies of bacterial infection
Morelands Primary School in Hampshire has confirmed the death of a student from Strep A, bringing the total to eight
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A school said it is “devastated” following the death of another child from the Strep A infection.
The headteacher at Morelands Primary School in Waterlooville, Hampshire, confirmed the unnamed child’s passing amid a rising number of cases.
The latest tragedy brings the total number of deaths of children under 13 from Group A Streptococcal (iGAS) infection in recent weeks to eight.
“Very tragically, we have learned of the death in recent days of a child who attended our school, who was also diagnosed with an invasive Group A Streptococcal (iGAS) infection,” headteacher Alison Syred-Paul said.
“We are absolutely devastated by the loss of one of our young pupils and offer our sincere and heartfelt condolences to the child’s family at this extremely sad time.
“We ask that the privacy of the family is respected. We are working closely with public health authorities to ensure that the family, our pupils and staff receive support.”
Downing Street urges parents to be ‘on the lookout’ amid rising cases of Strep A
Strep A – live: NHS ‘well prepared’ to deal with outbreak, No 10 says as seventh child dies from infection
What to do if you think your child has Strep A
Boy, 12, dies from Strep A infection as parents warned to be vigilant
UKHSA South East has assured parents that the invasive variant is uncommon, emphasising the importance of good hand and respiratory hygiene in reducing the spread of infections.
“It is important parents are on the lookout for symptoms and see a doctor as quickly as possible so their child can be treated, and we can stop the infection becoming serious,” Trish Mannes, regional deputy director remarked.
The school has been raising awareness amongst its parents, carers and wider school community of the signs and symptoms of Group A Streptococcal (iGAS) infections.
Cases of invasive Group A strep (iGAS) are currently four times higher than normal among children aged between one and four, according to UK Health Security Agency figures. In the southeast, 80 cases have been reported as well as 63 reports of scarlet fever.
On Friday, a 12-year-old boy in Lewisham, south London was confirmed to have lost his life to Strep A. He is believed to have been the first secondary school student to have died during the current outbreak.
Downing Street has remarked that it “fully understands” the concerns amid rising cases, assuring that the NHS is “well prepared” to deal with the Strep A outbreak.
The prime minister’s official spokesman said: “The bacteria we know causes a mild infection which is easily treated with antibiotics and in rare circumstances, it can get into the bloodstream and cause serious illness.
“But the NHS is well prepared to deal with situations like this, working with the UK Health Security Agency.”
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments