Eight British children are now believed to have died after contracting Strep A, with school staff announcing the "devastating" news of the latest fatality on Sunday.
The latest death was in Hampshire, the tragedy occurring after the youngster was diagnosed with an invasive Group A Streptococcal (iGAS) infection.
The child was a student at Morelands Primary School in Crookhorn Lane, in Waterlooville. Sunday's death follows the deaths of Muhammad Ibrahim Ali, 4, in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire and Hanna Roap, 7, in Penarth, Wales, reports the Mirror.
In Lewisham, a 12-year-old student has also died, their school confirmed today. A child aged six also died in Ashford in Surrey at the end of November.
The latest deaths of children under five, confirmed last week by the he UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), after contracting Strep A in recent weeks, brings the total number of confirmed deaths of children in the UK to eight.
The UKHSA will release more data tomorrow meaning the total could be even higher. Following the tragic death of the Hampshire pupil, the local community has paid tribute to the unnamed youngster.
Headteacher Alison Syred-Paul released a statement saying: "Very tragically, we have learned of the death in recent days of a child who attended our school, who was also diagnosed with an invasive Group A Streptococcal (iGAS) infection. We are absolutely devastated by the loss of one of our young pupils and offer our sincere and heartfelt condolences to the child's family at this extremely sad time."
The teacher added: "As a precaution, we have also been raising awareness amongst parents, carers and our school community of the signs and symptoms of Group A Streptococcal (iGAS) infections, and what to do if a child develops these, including invasive Group A Streptococcal (iGAS) infection."
GPs are said to be terrified of missing signs of Strep A infection in children after a spate of deaths. Health chiefs have also gone to warn parents to look out for symptoms of the infection.
And according to the UKHSA, there has been more than a four-fold increase in the invasive disease since the pandemic.
Data shows 2.3 cases per 100,000 children aged one to four in England this year, rather than 0.5 from 2017 to 2019.
Meanwhile, the UKHSA has also said that local health protection teams should decide whether to advise parents to keep pupils off from schools with cases, but some parents have vowed to keep them at home anyway.
Group A Streptococcus is the name given to a type of bacteria sometimes found in the throat or on the skin.
It usually results in mild but very infectious illness but can become the more serious invasive Group A Strep - also known as iGAS.
Health officials have urged parents and carers to contact NHS 111 or their GP if their child is getting worse, is feeding or eating much less than normal, has had a dry nappy for 12 hours or more or shows other signs of dehydration.
They should also seek help if their baby is under three months and has a temperature of 38C, or is older than three months with a temperature of 39C or higher.
A very tired or irritable child is also a red flag. Other symptoms include a sore throat, fever and minor skin infections.
If their child is having difficulty breathing (by making grunting noises or sucking their stomach in under their ribs) or pauses in breathing, has blue skin, tongue or lips, or is floppy and unresponsive, parents should call 999 or go to A&E.
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