Two children who were pupils at the same Liverpool primary school have died, the UK’s Health Security Agency has said.
The children, aged five and six, attended Millstead primary school in the Everton area of the city, which caters for children with special educational needs.
The school is dealing with an outbreak of giardia, which causes diarrhoea and stomach cramps, but the UKHSA said it was unlikely the deaths were linked to the outbreak.
Michelle Beard, the headteacher of Millstead primary, told the Liverpool Echo that the two children “filled their classes with joy”, adding that the school community had been left “devastated” by their deaths.
“The entire Millstead school community is devastated to have learned of the sad recent passing of two of our younger children. We have sent our sincerest condolences to both of their families,” she said.
“Both children filled their classes with joy during their time with us, and they will forever be in our hearts. We are working closely with our families, staff and pupils to support them as we come to terms with this terribly sad news.”
The newspaper first reported on the outbreak of giardia at the school last month, and said the UKHSA had been working with Liverpool city council and partners following a “small number of cases of giardia”.
At the time, the UKHSA said public health measures had been put in place “to help prevent further cases”.
Giardia is an infection caused by a microscopic parasite. Symptoms include diarrhoea, stomach cramps, flatulence and fatigue.
The infection spreads easily, but it is generally not thought to be a serious health risk, and is normally easily treated with antibiotics.
“UK Health Security Agency are aware of the sad deaths of two children who attend Millstead primary school and our thoughts are with the family, friends and school community,” Emma Savage, a consultant in health protection for UKHSA’s Cheshire and Merseyside health protection team, said.
“The deaths are unlikely to be due to giardia. Giardia usually causes a self-limiting gastrointestinal illness which can spread easily in households and school settings.”
