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Strep A: Five-year-old girl dies from illness linked to bacterial infection Strep A: Five-year-old girl dies from illness linked to bacterial infection
(about 3 hours later)
Stella-Lily McCorkindale's school said she was a bright and talented little girlStella-Lily McCorkindale's school said she was a bright and talented little girl
A five-year-old girl has died from an illness linked to the bacterial infection strep A in Belfast.A five-year-old girl has died from an illness linked to the bacterial infection strep A in Belfast.
The Black Mountain Primary School pupil became severely ill last week and was treated at the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children, but died on Monday. Stella-Lily McCorkindale became severely ill last week and was treated at the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children, but died on Monday.
The school said Stella-Lily McCorkindale was "a bright and talented little girl". Black Mountain Primary School said she was "a bright and talented little girl".
On Friday the Public Health Agency (PHA) sent a letter to parents of P1 to P3 children at the school.On Friday the Public Health Agency (PHA) sent a letter to parents of P1 to P3 children at the school.
Children were asked to attend a clinic to be seen by a doctor and receive a preventative course of antibiotics.Children were asked to attend a clinic to be seen by a doctor and receive a preventative course of antibiotics.
Black Mountain Primary said Stella-Lily's death was a tragic loss to the school community. Black Mountain Primary said Stella-Lily was very popular with both staff and children, and would be greatly missed by everyone.
It said she was very popular with both staff and children and will be greatly missed by everyone at school. The school is undergoing a deep clean, and the Education Authority's critical incident response team is providing support.
It sought to reassure parents it was working closely with the PHA: The school remains open but is undergoing a deep clean, and trained staff from the Education Authority critical incident response team are providing support. Across the rest of the UK, seven children in England and one in Wales have died due to complications from strep A bacterial infections since September.
In the rest of the UK, seven children in England and one in Wales have died due to complications from strep A bacterial infections since September. Health officials in the Republic of Ireland are investigating the death of a four year old which may be linked to strep A, according to broadcaster RTÉ.
Analysis: Cases are likely to riseAnalysis: Cases are likely to rise
Parents need to be vigilant - that is the message from health officials and local doctors.Parents need to be vigilant - that is the message from health officials and local doctors.
While those looking after children may be nervous about this unfolding story, most cases are mild.While those looking after children may be nervous about this unfolding story, most cases are mild.
The UK is experiencing an outbreak because for two years during the Covid pandemic, children didn't mix as much and their systems are not immune to a number of different infections.The UK is experiencing an outbreak because for two years during the Covid pandemic, children didn't mix as much and their systems are not immune to a number of different infections.
There is a warning that the number of cases of both strep A and scarlet fever will rise in the coming weeks.There is a warning that the number of cases of both strep A and scarlet fever will rise in the coming weeks.
It is highly contagious so the advice from experts is keep sick children at home.It is highly contagious so the advice from experts is keep sick children at home.
Parents of children who deteriorate quickly should seek urgent medical advice.Parents of children who deteriorate quickly should seek urgent medical advice.
On Monday, dozens of pupils at Brackenagh West Primary School near Kilkeel in County Down were reported to be suffering from strep A infections, its principal said: Two had been taken to hospital. On Monday, dozens of pupils at Brackenagh West Primary School near Kilkeel in County Down were reported to be suffering from strep A infections.
Its principal said two had been taken to hospital.
No school closuresNo school closures
The PHA is asking school parents to be vigilant, and community groups have been contacted about affected children who may have used their facilities.The PHA is asking school parents to be vigilant, and community groups have been contacted about affected children who may have used their facilities.
The PHA's Dr Philip Veal said the science did not support closing schools amidst clusters of strep A infections as this would have "limited impact" and children would continue to congregate in other settings. The PHA's Dr Philip Veal said the science did not support closing schools amid clusters of strep A infections as this would have limited impact and children would continue to congregate in other settings.
He said there was an increase in infections every four or five years, lasting anything from a couple of weeks to a few months.He said there was an increase in infections every four or five years, lasting anything from a couple of weeks to a few months.
Such increases typically stopped naturally as the numbers of those susceptible were exhausted, he added.Such increases typically stopped naturally as the numbers of those susceptible were exhausted, he added.
"We have seen a rapid increase over the last one to two weeks," he told BBC's Evening Extra programme.
"What is unusual is the time of year we are seeing it. It would be more normal to see it in the spring."
Dr Veal added that in a cluster of cases - for example in a school - anyone with symptoms should be assessed by a doctor, who would decide if they should be given antibiotics.Dr Veal added that in a cluster of cases - for example in a school - anyone with symptoms should be assessed by a doctor, who would decide if they should be given antibiotics.
He added that there was no vaccine licensed and in regular use against strep A. He added there was no vaccine licensed and in regular use against strep A.
The current increase in cases was unusual because it is happening in the winter, rather than the spring, said the PHA.
There were 122 scarlet fever cases of scarlet fever across Northern Ireland in November, which is much higher than usual for this time of year.
But the number of cases of invasive group A strep, or iGAS - the most serious form of infection - is 33 so far in 2022, compared to 55 in 2018 and 72 in 2019 (before the pandemic).
Dr Veal said there was no indication Northern Ireland was seeing more deaths from iGAS than in previous years.
UK Health Minister Maria Caulfield said she was sorry to hear about the Black Mountain Primary School pupil's death.
She said she wanted to reassure people that the UK Health Security Agency was on top of the situation and was not concerned that there was a wider outbreak than would be expected.
What is Strep A?What is Strep A?
Most strep A infections are mild - a sore throat or a skin infection that can be easily treated with antibiotics. But some people who catch it can get very sick. Most strep A infections are mild - a sore throat or a skin infection that can be easily treated with antibiotics.
But some people who catch it can get very sick.
Some people develop scarlet fever, which causes a skin rash (that feels like sandpaper) and flu-like symptoms, including a high temperature.Some people develop scarlet fever, which causes a skin rash (that feels like sandpaper) and flu-like symptoms, including a high temperature.
Figures show there were at least 104 cases of scarlet fever in Northern Ireland in November, up from 43 in October.Figures show there were at least 104 cases of scarlet fever in Northern Ireland in November, up from 43 in October.
Very rarely, Strep A can cause something called invasive group A streptococcal infection or iGAS, which can be deadly.Very rarely, Strep A can cause something called invasive group A streptococcal infection or iGAS, which can be deadly.
Strep A: Why it can be dangerous and what to knowStrep A: Why it can be dangerous and what to know
Invasive disease happens when the bacteria get past your body's immune defences.Invasive disease happens when the bacteria get past your body's immune defences.
The government said that during a similar period in 2017-18 - the last "high season for iGAS infection" - there were four deaths in England. The government said that during a similar period in 2017-18 - the last high season for iGAS infection - there were four deaths in England.
Watch for warning signs Sudden deterioration
Dr Alan Stout, chairman of the GP committee of the British Medical Association, said the number of UK deaths among children was unusual. There were 122 scarlet fever cases of scarlet fever across Northern Ireland in November, which is much higher than usual for this time of year.
"The last proper outbreak was four or five years ago, there were maybe four deaths associated with that - not even direct effect, but associated with the infection," he said. But the number of cases of invasive group A strep, or iGAS - the most serious form of infection - is 33 so far in 2022, compared to 55 in 2018 and 72 in 2019 (before the pandemic).
"So to get to eight or nine now [across the UK] is slightly unusual." Dr Veal said there was no indication Northern Ireland was seeing more deaths from iGAS than in previous years.
Warning signs of invasive disease include: A strep A infection becomes dangerous when a child suddenly deteriorates, said GP Dr Frances O'Hagan.
Fever (a high temperature above 38C)
Severe muscle aches
Urgent, early medical help is essential.
The UKHSA advises that anyone with a high fever, severe muscle aches, pain in one area of the body and unexplained vomiting or diarrhoea should seek medical help immediately.
A strep A infection becomes dangerous when a child suddenly deteriorates, deputy chairperson of the Northern Ireland General Practitioners Committee Dr Frances O'Hagan said.
In these cases children should be taken to A&E as quickly as possible.In these cases children should be taken to A&E as quickly as possible.
"The other thing to be aware of is that the treatment for strep A is an antibiotic called Penicillin V," Dr O'Hagan said. "The other thing to be aware of is that the treatment for strep A is an antibiotic called Penicillin V," she said.
"Penicillin V does not taste very nice so children will not like it, but it's very important that you get it into your child."Penicillin V does not taste very nice so children will not like it, but it's very important that you get it into your child.
"And it's a 10-day course, so it's really important that you finish the 10 days.""And it's a 10-day course, so it's really important that you finish the 10 days."
Gerard Greene, from Community Pharmacy, told BBC's Evening Extra programme that a sudden surge in demand for a particular drug often leads to pharmacies running out of stock.
Paul McDonagh, who runs a pharmacy in west Belfast, said he had run out.
"I managed to get a couple of bottles but the price has rocketed," he said.
"It's almost 10 times the price we get to dispense it."
What should parents do?What should parents do?
As a parent, if you feel that your child seems seriously unwell, you should trust your own judgement. Contact your GP if:As a parent, if you feel that your child seems seriously unwell, you should trust your own judgement. Contact your GP if:
your child is getting worseyour child is getting worse
your child is feeding or eating much less than normalyour child is feeding or eating much less than normal
your child has had a dry nappy for 12 hours or more or shows other signs of dehydrationyour child has had a dry nappy for 12 hours or more or shows other signs of dehydration
your baby is under three months old and has a temperature of 38°C, or is older than three months and has a temperature of 39°C or higheryour baby is under three months old and has a temperature of 38°C, or is older than three months and has a temperature of 39°C or higher
your baby feels hotter than usual when you touch their back or chest, or feels sweatyyour baby feels hotter than usual when you touch their back or chest, or feels sweaty
your child is very tired or irritableyour child is very tired or irritable
Call 999 or go to A&E if:Call 999 or go to A&E if:
your child is having difficulty breathing - you may notice grunting noises or their tummy sucking under their ribsyour child is having difficulty breathing - you may notice grunting noises or their tummy sucking under their ribs
there are pauses when your child breathesthere are pauses when your child breathes
your child's skin, tongue or lips are blueyour child's skin, tongue or lips are blue
your child is floppy and will not wake up or stay awakeyour child is floppy and will not wake up or stay awake