Two children in Scotland have died from the Strep A infection. Figures from Public Health Scotland (PHS) show that two children under the age of 10 died from the infection between October and December.
While most Strep A cases are fairly mild and easily treated, some can develop into a more serious condition called invasive group A strep.
A PHS statement said: "Between October 3 and December 25, 13 out of 14 NHS health boards have reported iGAS cases between 3 October and 25 December 2022, reports the Record.
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"Six of these NHS boards reported five or less cases. PHS is aware of seven deaths amongst iGAS cases that appear to meet the case definition between 3 October and 25 December 2022, two of whom were in children under 10 years of age.
"This compares with between zero and seven deaths reported during the same time period of previous years."
Across the UK, Strep A deaths in children have risen by five in a week taking the total to 24, with a health watchdog sending out a warning to parents.
The latest data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) continues to show an out of season increase in scarlet fever and group A streptococcus infections and a higher number of cases than seen in a typical year.
Since September 12, there have been 94 Invasive group A streptococcus (iGAS) deaths across all age groups in England.
This figure includes 21 children under 18, with 126 cases in children aged one to four, and 88 cases in children aged 5 to 9 years.
However, the UKHSA has stressed iGAS deaths remain rare and the majority of cases continue to be in those over 45 years.
Meanwhile, there have also been 27,486 notifications of scarlet fever.
This compares to a total of 3,287 at the same point in the year during the last comparably high season in 2017 to 2018 – although cases in that season started to rise at a different point.
In 2017 to 2018 there were 30,768 scarlet fever notifications overall across the year.
There were 194 iGAS cases in children aged one to four across the whole year and 117 cases in those aged five to nine.
During that same period, there were 355 deaths, including 27 deaths in children under 18.
Dr Colin Brown, Deputy Director, UKHSA, said: "I understand how this large rise in scarlet fever and ‘strep throat’ may be concerning to parents, however the condition can be easily treated with antibiotics and it is very rare that a child will go on to become more seriously ill.
"Most winter illnesses can be managed at home and NHS.UK has information to help parents look after children with mild illness."
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