As Strep-A deaths mount to nine, minister Nick Gibb says schools 'may' get antibiotics

Following the deaths of several children, the school minister, Nick Gibb, confirmed that preventative medications could be administered to students in schools affected by Strep A infections.

In recent weeks, some young kids have died due to Strep A bacterial infection, and the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has confirmed an upsurge in cases.

While most infections are treatable, the bacteria can occasionally develop a potentially fatal sickness called invasive Group A Streptococcal disease.


Following increased infections caused by the Strep A bacteria, parents have been advised to be alert for symptoms.

At the time of writing this news, nine children had succumbed to the disease. The latest is a 5-years old girl from Belfast who was being treated at the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children.


According to Nick Gibb, the subject was raised in the House of Lords on December 5, and preventive antibiotics are being considered as a treatment option.

He stated that Lord Markham mentioned in the parliament yesterday that the UK Health and Security Agency is watching the situation and contemplating those kinds of difficulties in those schools where there is an outbreak.

Illnesses caused by the Group A strep bacteria include impetigo, scarlet fever, and strep throat.

There has been a massive rise in scarlet fever cases.

There were 861 cases reported during the week ending November 27, according to the latest UKHSA figures, compared to an average of 186 for the same timeframe in previous years.

FAQs:

1. What are the symptoms of Strep A infection?
   FeverSwollen tonsilsHeadacheRashRed spots inside the mouth
2. What is scarlet fever?
   It is a bacterial infection in some of the patients afflicted with strep throat. It is most frequent in children aged five to fifteen.