New figures show four more children have died from Strep A. Figures for under 18s have been released by health bosses today (Thursday).
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) confirmed that at least 25 children in England under the age of 18 have now died due to the virus. Across all age groups, there have been 122 deaths in England, reports MirrorOnline.
In the 2017 to 2018 season, there were 355 deaths in total across the season, including 27 deaths in children.
Dr Obaghe Edeghere, UKHSA incident director, said: "We are continuing to see a rise in scarlet fever and ‘strep throat’ and this is understandably concerning for parents. However I would stress that the condition can be easily treated with antibiotics and it is very rare that a child will go on to become more seriously ill.
"Over the winter, there are lots of illnesses circulating that can make children unwell and so it is important to avoid contact with other people if you are feeling unwell, wash your hands regularly and thoroughly and catch coughs and sneezes in a tissue. I would also urge all those eligible for free winter vaccines to take advantage of these.
"Most winter illnesses can be managed at home and NHS.UK has information to help parents look after children with mild illness. However please do make sure you speak to a healthcare professional if you believe your child is getting worse for instance they are feeding or eating less than normal, are dehydrated, has a high temperature that won’t go down, is very hot and sweaty or seems more tired or irritable than normal."
