This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-64110871

The article has changed 10 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
Two children in Scotland die with Strep A infection Deaths of two children with Strep A 'not unusual'
(about 1 hour later)
Two children in Scotland have died with the Strep A infection, figures show. The deaths of two children in Scotland with the Strep A infection is not unusual at this time of year, according to Scotland's chief medical officer.
Public Health Scotland (PHS) says two children under the age of 10 died between October and December. Professor Jason Leitch said Scotland was experiencing the highest number of Strep A infections since 2017.
Strep A cases are usually mild, causing illness ranging from a sore throat to scarlet fever, but on rare occasions can develop into invasive Group A Strep (iGAS) infection. But he said it was a very mild disease in the "extreme majority" of children and the elderly.
In its latest update PHS reports seven deaths among iGAS cases, including two children. Public Health Scotland confirmed that two children under 10 died with the infection between October and December.
The agency says on its website: "PHS is aware of seven deaths amongst iGAS cases that appear to meet the case definition between 3 October and 25 December 2022, two of whom were in children under 10 years of age. Strep A cases are usually mild, causing illness ranging from a sore throat to scarlet fever, but on rare occasions can develop into invasive Group A (iGAS) infection.
"This compares with between zero and seven deaths reported during the same time period of previous years." The two children's deaths are among seven linked to the iGAS infection recorded in Scotland between 3 October and 25 December.
A post on the PHS website said there had been "between zero and seven" similar deaths during the same time period in previous years.
By comparison, 94 people have died in England within seven days of a iGAS diagnosis since September, according to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA). Of these, 16 were 10 or younger.
Surge in Strep A cases reported across ScotlandSurge in Strep A cases reported across Scotland
Strep A: What is strep A and what are the symptoms?Strep A: What is strep A and what are the symptoms?
In response, Scottish Health Secretary Humza Yousaf said: "Every death is a tragedy, particularly those of young children, my thoughts with families and loved ones affected. Professor Leitch told BBC Scotland the children's deaths were tragedies but the number of them was "not unusual for this time of year".
"What we don't know is how big this spike is going to be in Strep A cases over the next few days and weeks," he said.
The chief medical officer said an increase in cases was to be expected every few years and that this was the largest number of infections since 2017.
"The key here, apart from the obvious tragedy of today's news, is that in the vast majority of children, in the extreme majority of children, and in the elderly, this is a very mild disease," he added.
"You can look after it yourself, you can look after kids at home, you can get all the information you need on NHS Inform."
In a post on Twitter Scottish Health Secretary Humza Yousaf said: "Every death is a tragedy, particularly those of young children, my thoughts with families and loved ones affected.
"Thankfully most cases of Strep A present as mild illness and can be treated with antibiotics.""Thankfully most cases of Strep A present as mild illness and can be treated with antibiotics."
Mr Yousaf said he was working with the UK government to ensure there were adequate supplies to treat the illness.Mr Yousaf said he was working with the UK government to ensure there were adequate supplies to treat the illness.
He added: "Where localised shortages of first line treatments occur there are alternative and effective antibiotics available."He added: "Where localised shortages of first line treatments occur there are alternative and effective antibiotics available."
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has so far reported 94 cases of people dying in England within seven days of an iGAS diagnosis. Of those, 16 were children aged 10 and younger.
The UKHSA has said a rise in Strep A cases this year is most likely due to high amounts of the bacteria circulating and increased social mixing.The UKHSA has said a rise in Strep A cases this year is most likely due to high amounts of the bacteria circulating and increased social mixing.
Not unusual
Professor Jason Leitch, Scotland's chief medical officer, said the number of child deaths was not "unusual for this time of year".
He told BBC Scotland: "What we don't know is how big this spike is going to be in Strep A cases over the next few days and weeks."
He said an increase in cases was to be expected every few years and that this was the largest number of infections since 2017.
"The key here, apart from the obvious tragedy of today's news, is that in the vast majority of children, in the extreme majority of children, and in the elderly, this is a very mild disease," the chief medical officer added.
Five-year-old girl dies from illness linked to strep AFive-year-old girl dies from illness linked to strep A
GPs say parents need clearer strep A adviceGPs say parents need clearer strep A advice
PHS said that in the week ending December 25 there were 869 laboratory reports of Group A Streptococcus (GAS), a reduction from 1,079 the previous week. This compares with between 300 and 480 reports per week during peaks observed in the period since 2016.PHS said that in the week ending December 25 there were 869 laboratory reports of Group A Streptococcus (GAS), a reduction from 1,079 the previous week. This compares with between 300 and 480 reports per week during peaks observed in the period since 2016.
The PHS report stated: "Although increases in GAS were reported in recent weeks in Scotland, iGAS infections levels for 2022 have been generally stable and similar to previous years."The PHS report stated: "Although increases in GAS were reported in recent weeks in Scotland, iGAS infections levels for 2022 have been generally stable and similar to previous years."
In the week ending December 25, there were 15 iGAS cases reported across all age groups, compared with 13 in the previous week. This compares with between 12 and 18 cases per week during peaks observed in previous years.In the week ending December 25, there were 15 iGAS cases reported across all age groups, compared with 13 in the previous week. This compares with between 12 and 18 cases per week during peaks observed in previous years.
Data from the beginning of October to December 25 2022 shows that PHS has received reports of 20 iGAS cases in children under 10.Data from the beginning of October to December 25 2022 shows that PHS has received reports of 20 iGAS cases in children under 10.
When to see medical advice
Parents are being urged to look out for symptoms and to promptly contact their GP or NHS24 if they have any concerns.Parents are being urged to look out for symptoms and to promptly contact their GP or NHS24 if they have any concerns.
UKHSA advises people to call 999 or go to A&E if:UKHSA advises people to 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
What is Strep A?What is Strep A?
Group A streptococcal (GAS) infection is caused by strains of the streptococcus pyogenes bacteriumGroup A streptococcal (GAS) infection is caused by strains of the streptococcus pyogenes bacterium
The bacteria can live on hands or the throat for long enough to allow easy spread between people through sneezing, kissing and skin contactThe bacteria can live on hands or the throat for long enough to allow easy spread between people through sneezing, kissing and skin contact
Most infections cause mild illnesses such as "strep throat" or skin infectionsMost infections cause mild illnesses such as "strep throat" or skin infections
It can also cause scarlet fever and in the majority of cases this clears up with antibioticsIt can also cause scarlet fever and in the majority of cases this clears up with antibiotics
On rare occasions the bacteria can get deeper into the body - including infecting the lungs and bloodstream. It is known as invasive GAS (iGAS) and needs urgent treatment as this can be serious and life-threateningOn rare occasions the bacteria can get deeper into the body - including infecting the lungs and bloodstream. It is known as invasive GAS (iGAS) and needs urgent treatment as this can be serious and life-threatening
You can read more about Strep A here.You can read more about Strep A here.