A seventh child has died after contracting Strep A, according to reports.
On Saturday it was reported that a 12-year-old Year 8 pupil from a school in south London had died after developing the infection, according to The Guardian. This would take the total number of deaths to seven.
On Friday, the UK Health Security Agency confirmed that six children in England and Wales had died from the infection in recent months. Muhammad Ibrahim Ali died at his home in High Wycombe on November 14 after experiencing a cardiac arrest, his heartbroken mother said.
READ MORE: School's touching tribute to 'constantly smiling' boy, 4, who died of Strep A
Last week a six-year-old died following an outbreak of the same infection at a school in Surrey. Hanna Roap, 7, from Victoria primary school in Penarth, Wales also died after becoming ill.
The UKHSA said that in the week ending November 20, there were 851 cases of Strep A reported. Those figures are compared to an average of 186 in preceding years - an increase of 357.5pc.
It comes amid a huge fundraising campaign for a four-year-old girl from Bolton said to be fighting for her life in hospital after contracting Strep A. Camila Rose Burns is on a ventilator at Alder Hey Children's Hospital and as reported in the Manchester Evening News her dad, Dean Burns, said hospital staff described her as 'the poorliest girl in the whole of England'. Dean said he has been 'living in an absolute nightmare' since her condition worsened last weekend.
The appeal on fundraising platform GoFundMe was launched by Camila's aunt, Laura Daniels, and has reached almost £8,000. She said Camila's parents, Dean and Kaye, 'will not be leaving her side' and as a result, 'no income is coming into the house'.
Writing on GoFundMe, she said: "As you may have seen in the news, my niece is currently fighting for her life in Alder Hey Children's hospital after becoming infected with Group A Streptococcus which has also led to other complications.
"Dean and Kaye understandably have not and will not leave Camila's side during this absolutely heart-breaking situation. Due to this, there will be no income coming into the home. After many people have asked, I have decided to set up this page to help them with one less thing to worry about during this nightmare. We all pray for Camila and are with Dean and Kaye every step of the way."
Strep A signs and symptoms
A rare alert warning parents of the signs to look for was issued by the agency. Anyone who believes their child is suffering with the illness is advised to contact NHS 111 or their GP immediately.
The symptoms include a sore throat, headache, and fever, along with a 'fine, pinkish or red body rash with a sandpapery feel'. On darker skin, the rash can be more difficult to detect visually but will have a sandpapery feel.
Dr Colin Brown, deputy director of UKHSA, said: "We are seeing a higher number of cases of Group A strep this year than usual. The bacteria usually causes a mild infection producing sore throats or scarlet fever that can be easily treated with antibiotics. In very rare circumstances, this bacteria can get into the bloodstream and cause serious illness – called invasive Group A strep (iGAS).
"This is still uncommon; however, it is important that parents are on the lookout for symptoms and see a doctor as quickly as possible so that their child can be treated and we can stop the infection becoming serious. Make sure you talk to a health professional if your child is showing signs of deteriorating after a bout of scarlet fever, a sore throat, or a respiratory infection."
Read more of today's top stories here
READ NEXT:
- Holidaymakers who couldn't handle their drinks and paid for it
- How Curtis 'Cocky' Warren tried to flood a sleepy island with £1m of drugs
- Greater Manchester weather forecast as temperatures set to plunge amid Met Office UK snow warning
- 'I thought Michael was the one - until the night out I thought he'd kill me'
- First look at Ewe: Restaurant and bar 'brings city centre to the suburbs' with £1m makeover
