A new map shows the number of cases of Step A and scarlet fever in Wales. Some 15 children under the age of 15 have now died in the UK from invasive Strep A illness.
Hanna Roap, seven, from Penarth is one of the 15 children who have died in recent months after contracting the bacterial infection. New data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) shows 13 children under 15 have died in England since September, and one from Northern Ireland.
Strep A usually causes mild diseases like scarlet fever but can also cause a dangerous invasive disease. Wales has a higher rate at the moment of scarlet fever than any area of England.
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Two pupils at a Carmarthenshire primary school with an outbreak of scarlet fever have required hospital treatment, and around two dozen children at Brynaman Primary School are suffering from the bacterial infection. More details on this outbreak here.
Figures show that scarlet fever cases remain much higher than normal. The UKHSA said cases usually show steepest rises in the New Year, but have increased sharply in recent weeks.
So far this season (from September 12 to December 4), there have been 6,601 cases of scarlet fever, more than twice as high as the 2,538 at the same point in the last comparably high season in 2017/2018
In Wales, a total of 134 cases of scarlet fever have been recorded for the week ending December 4, with the highest in Cardiff, which has 14 cases, Newport with 13 cases, and Bridgend, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Swansea and Carmarthen, which all have 12.
That is an infection rate of 4.3 cases for every 100k people In comparison, the area with the most in England was the north west with 182 cases or an infection rate of 2.5 cases for every 100k people
Here is the full list:
- Wrexham 3
- Torfaen 7
- The Vale of Glamorgan 7
- Swansea 12
- Rhondda Cynon Taff 12
- Powys 2
- Pembrokeshire 3
- Newport 13
- Neath Port Talbot 10
- Monmouthshire 2
- Merthyr Tydfil 3
- Isle of Anglesey 0
- Gwynedd 1
- Flintshire 4
- Denbighshire 1
- Conwy 8
- Ceredigion 0
- Carmarthenshire 12
- Cardiff 14
- Caerphilly 5
- Bridgend 12
- Blaenau Gwent 3
In total, Wales has a higher infection rate than any area of England according to the UKHSA data
- North East 59 (2.2 infection rate)
- Yorkshire and Humber 66 (1.2 infection rate)
- East Midlands 122 (2.5 infection rate)
- West Midlands 69 (1.2 infection rate)
- London 156 (1.8 infection rate)
- East 150 (2.4 infection rate)
- South East 189 (2.0 infection rate)
- South West 3 (0.1 infection rate
Group A strep bacteria can cause many different infections, ranging from minor illnesses to deadly diseases. Illnesses caused by Strep A include the skin infection impetigo, scarlet fever and strep throat.
While the vast majority of infections are relatively mild, sometimes the bacteria cause a life-threatening illness called invasive Group A Streptococcal disease.
The UKHSA has said there is no current evidence that a new strain is circulating and the rise in cases is most likely due to high amounts of circulating bacteria and increased social mixing.
Since September, the UKHSA said there have been 652 reports of invasive Strep disease, higher than at the same points over the last five years.
So far this season, there have been 85 cases in children aged one to four, compared to 194 cases in that age group across the whole of the last high season in 2017/2018. There have also been 60 cases in children aged five to nine. Since September, 60 deaths have been reported across all age groups in England.
Dr Colin Brown, deputy director of the UKHSA, said: "Scarlet fever and 'strep throat' are common childhood illnesses that can be treated easily with antibiotics.
"Very rarely, the bacteria can get into the bloodstream and cause more serious illness called invasive Group A strep.
"We know that this is concerning for parents, but I want to stress that while we are seeing an increase in cases in children, this remains very uncommon.
"There a lots of winter bugs circulating that can make your child feel unwell, that mostly aren't cause for alarm.
"However, make sure you talk to a health professional if your child is getting worse after a bout of scarlet fever, a sore throat or respiratory infection - look out for signs such as a fever that won't go down, dehydration, extreme tiredness and difficulty breathing."
Figures show that scarlet fever cases remain much higher than normal.
The UKHSA said cases usually show steepest rises in the New Year, but have increased sharply in recent weeks.
So far this season (from September 12 to December 4), there have been 6,601 cases of scarlet fever, more than twice as high as the 2,538 at the same point in the last comparably high season in 2017/2018.
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