A fourth child has died in the UK after contracting Strep A, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has confirmed. The child, who attended St John’s primary school in Ealing, west London, died from the bacterial infection, prompting renewed warnings to parents and school staff.
Other fatalities include a four-year-old boy from Buckinghamshire, Muhammad Ibrahim Ali, who attended Oakridge school and nursery in High Wycombe, and a pupil from Victoria primary school in Penarth, near Cardiff. A six-year-old died last week after an outbreak at a school in Surrey.
Shabana Kousar, Muhammad’s mother, described her son as “very helpful around the house and quite adventurous”. She said: “He also had a very close bond with his dad. He was his best friend and went everywhere with him.”
Health officials have reported a slight rise in Strep A cases, which can cause scarlet fever. While infections are usually mild, they can become severe. Symptoms include sore throat, fever, and minor skin infections. Anyone with high fever, severe muscle aches, pain in one area of the body, or unexplained vomiting or diarrhoea should seek urgent medical help.
Dr Yimmy Chow, a health protection consultant at UKHSA, expressed sorrow over the Ealing death and said precautionary advice has been provided to the school community. “Group A streptococcal infections usually result in mild illness, but in rare incidences it can be severe,” he said, urging those with serious symptoms to call NHS 111.
Group A streptococcal bacteria cause various infections, including scarlet fever, which mostly affects young children. The NHS notes that early signs include flu-like symptoms, followed by a rash and a distinctive “strawberry tongue”. Antibiotics are an effective treatment.
