Parents across Renfrewshire will be notified as soon as Strep A is detected in their child’s school, education bosses have confirmed.
Renfrewshire Council yesterday said the highly infectious bacteria – which causes scarlet fever – is already present in a handful of its 62 schools.
This includes Houston Primary and Johnstone High School.
The local authority has issued guidance to parents of children attending those schools with information and advice on what to do if they believe their child has the infection.
It also confirmed it would continue to notify parents of the presence of any further Group A streptococcal infections within local classrooms.
A dedicated webpage with relevant health advice has also been created.
In the letter issued to parents, Steven Quinn, the director of children’s services at Renfrewshire Council, said: “This letter is to inform you that a number of children who attend Johnstone High School have been diagnosed with suspected or confirmed Group A streptococcal infection including scarlet fever.
“NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde’s public health protection unit has been made aware and is providing us with advice. Young people who are well – have no symptoms – can continue to attend school.
“As long as they have no symptoms, contacts of a case do not need to isolate or stay away from nursery, school or work. Contacts of cases do not need to be treated with antibiotics.”
The news comes after a number of children across the UK became severely ill and died after contracting the Strep A.
Group A strep bacteria can cause many different infections, ranging from minor illnesses to deadly diseases.
Illnesses 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.
To date, 16 children have died of that disease in the UK.
Children who have been diagnosed with Strep A will be given antibiotics to fight the illness and to help reduce the spread of infection.
Enhanced cleaning will also be carried out in schools to reduce the possible spread of the bacteria while children will be encouraged to wash their hands frequently.
All scraps or wounds should be thoroughly cleaned and covered while at school.
A spokesperson for Renfrewshire Council said: “We are in close contact with colleagues in the NHS public health team and are following all advice provided by them around Strep A infection.
“In line with public health advice, wherever a school or nursery has had two or more cases, parents are being made aware. All other parents have been contacted with general advice over what to do if their child has symptoms, and how to help minimise the chance of infection.
Any child who does not have symptoms should continue to attend school or nursery as normal.”
For more information about Strep A and how to stop the spread of the bacteria, log on to: https://www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/strep-a-infections
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