Strep A: GPs are put on alert as cases and deaths rise

GPs in the UK are being alerted that the group A streptococcal infection and scarlet fever season has started earlier than usual and to have a high degree of clinical suspicion when assessing patients, after it was confirmed that a seventh child has died.The UK Health and Security Agency has confirmed that in England so far this season five children under 10 years old have died within seven days of a diagnosis of an invasive group A streptococcal infection.1 This compares with four deaths in the 2017-18 season, the last high season for the infection. A sixth death has been confirmed in Wales and none in Scotland. The death of a seventh child, a 12 year old in London, was confirmed on 5 December.Susan Hopkins, chief medical officer at UKHSA, told the BBC Radio 4 Today news programme on 5 December, “We are seeing a rise in the number of…
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