What is Strep A and what are the symptoms?
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Cases of scarlet fever have risen tenfold this year, official figures show, amid a rise in Strep A infections.
The most recent figures released by the UK Health Safety Agency (UKHSA) show that there had been around 23,000 incidents of infection this year up to last week, compared to just 2,323 during the same period in 2021.
Scarlet fever is caused by a bacterium called group A streptococcus. Although it is usually a mild disease, it is highly infectious.
It comes after the health secretary insisted there was no problem with the supply of antibiotics used to treat strep A from manufacturers, although he admitted some GPs could face shortages as stocks are moved .
Steve Barclay told Sky News: “Sometimes GPs can have particular increases if they have a lot of demand in one area, and that’s quite routine, we can move stock into our depots.
“As of last night, when we checked (with suppliers), they said they could assure us that they had good stock and were moving it around to meet demand.”
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Royal Belfast Hospital to launch a review into the death of Stella-Lilly McCorkindale
The Royal Belfast Hospital is to launch a review into the death of five-year-old Stella-Lilly McCorkindale, the ninth child to die from a Strep A infection this season. The family took her to A&E three times before she was admitted to intensive care.
“All aspects of the care Stella-Lilly received are being carefully reviewed,” a Belfast Trust spokesman told Sky News.
“The death of a child is a heartbreaking event for family and friends and in such tragic circumstances we give the family space to grieve.
“Hospital management will be available to meet Stella-Lilly’s family at their convenience.”
Eleanor Noyce December 7, 2022 4:32 pm
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13 cases of invasive Streptococcus A in under-10s – Public Health Scotland
There have been 13 reports of invasive strep A in children under 10 in Scotland since the start of October, according to the latest figures.
Scotland’s Health Secretary Humza Yousaf has said the country’s health service is “adequately capable” of dealing with Strep A infections despite warnings that cases are expected to rise.
Public Health Scotland (PHS) said infections caused by group A streptococci (GAS) have been increasing since early October, although levels of the more serious invasive group A streptococci (iGAS) infections have been “generally stable and similar to previous years”. “.
Read the full report here:
Emily Atkinson December 7, 2022 4:02 pm
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Strep A concerns create ‘carnage’ and ‘overwhelming demand’ on NHS
NHS 111, primary care and A&E services have suffered “carnage” following the recent outbreak of Strep A cases, The Independent has been told.
Senior staff working across NHS services have warned that news of the Strep A outbreak has pushed more parents to use services at a time when demand is already at record levels.
Leading epidemiologists speaking to The Independent have warned that the outbreak, which has killed at least nine children, could only be the beginning, with peaks normally expected closer to spring.
Our health correspondent Rebecca Thomas has more:
Emily Atkinson December 7, 2022 3:30 pm
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Watch: Mother ‘terrified’ as daughter fights for life with Strep A infection
Mother ‘terrified’ as daughter fights for life with Strep A infection
Emily Atkinson December 7, 2022 3:01 pm
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Starmer and Sunak discuss Strep A at PMQs
The government’s handling of the rise in Strep A cases was debated in the House of Commons during Prime Minister’s Questions today.
On Strep A infections, Labor leader Sir Keir Starmer said: “I’m very happy to be working with the government on this so it can take the opportunity to update the country on the steps the country is taking to keep the kids safe this winter. ?”
Rishi Sunak replied: “We are seeing a higher number of Strep A cases this year compared to usual. What I can say is that the NHS who have sat down to talk about this are working very hard to make sure parents are aware of the symptoms they should be aware of (for) because this can be treated appropriately with antibiotics.
“There is currently no shortage of drugs available to treat it and there are well-established procedures to ensure that remains the case and (UKHSA) are monitoring the situation closely and what they have confirmed is that it is not ‘a new strain of Strep A, so people should be calm about it.
“There is no reason to believe that it has become more lethal and more resistant to antibiotics, so the most important thing for parents to do is to watch for symptoms and get the treatment available to them.”
Emily Atkinson December 7, 2022 2:37 p.m
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How to avoid Strep A and is it contagious?
Nine children are confirmed to have died from Strep A in recent weeks, and the UK Health Safety Agency (UKHSA) has confirmed there has been an increase in infections.
The latest confirmed death was a pupil attending a primary school in Belfast who died on Monday after being diagnosed with strep A. A statement from Black Mountain Primary School said the school developed a serious illness last week and was treated at the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children, where she had been in intensive care.
Although the vast majority of infections are relatively mild, sometimes the bacteria causes a life-threatening disease called invasive group A streptococcal disease, as in the case of Belfast.
Let’s take a look at how Strep A can spread and how to best protect yourself from infection:
Emily Atkinson December 7, 2022 2:16 p.m
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Watch: Rishi Sunak says no current shortage of Strep A drug amid claims of supply line problems
Rishi Sunak Says No Current Strep A Drug Shortage Amid Supply Line Claims
Emily Atkinson December 7, 2022 1:55 p.m
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Are there vaccines available for strep A and scarlet fever?
Nine children in the UK have died in recent weeks as a result of an outbreak of group A strep, a potentially fatal bacterial infection more commonly known as Streptococcus A.
The bacteria, Streptococcus pyogenes, can persist in the throat and skin and cause many different diseases if spread by sneezing or physical contact, such as impetigo, scarlet fever, and strep.
Although the vast majority of infections are relatively mild, sometimes the bacteria can also cause a life-threatening disease known as invasive group A streptococcal disease (iGAS). Symptoms include high fever, severe muscle aches, localized muscle tenderness, and redness at the wound site.
Joe Sommerlad has the details:
Emily Atkinson December 7, 2022 1:35 pm
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Strep A outbreak: Everything we know as nine children die of bacterial infection
Seven children have now died from a bacterial infection following outbreaks at several schools.
A Belfast primary school puppy is the latest victim of Strep A, becoming the ninth child to also die from the bacterial infection in recent weeks.
Health authorities are now investigating the recent surge in Strep A cases.
Parents have been asked to be vigilant and watch for possible symptoms.
But what do we know about the outbreak so far? Zoe Tidman has the details:
Emily Atkinson December 7, 2022 1:15 pm
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Watch: Pharmacists say penicillin supply ‘uneven’ amid Strep A outbreak
Pharmacists say penicillin supply ‘uneven’ amid Strep A outbreak
Emily Atkinson December 7, 2022 12:55 p.m