A four year old child's death was caused by Strep A infection, health chiefs confirmed last night.
HSE had launched an investigation into the tragic case in the east of the country in recent days, but revealed yesterday that it had been due to a rare form of the disease. Local Public Health is supporting the family and the school attended by the child.
Dr Ãamonn OâMoore, Director of HSE Health Protection Surveillance Centre said: âThe news of a child death with Strep A will be worrying for parents, but itâs important to know that most children who get ill from a Group A Strep infections will have a mild illness which can be treated with antibiotics.
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âGroup A Streptococci are a common bacteria that are often and usually relatively mild and self-limiting. They can cause infections like tonsillitis and pharyngitis and scarlet fever.
âThe HPSC is closely monitoring Strep A and Scarlet Fever and as yet there is no evidence that a new strain is in circulation.â
It is also believed five-year-old Stella-Lilly McCorkindale died from the virus in the North. The deaths have sparked calls âfor a âNPHET-style responseâ to raise awareness of Strep A and keep parents informed of the evolving situation.
The National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) provided regular updates on Covid-19 during the pandemic. Labourâs education spokesperson Aodhán à RÃÂordáin has now said that a similar set up is needed to reassure âterrifiedâ parents.
He told the Irish Mirror that the Department of Education needs to provide advice to schools on the issue. âThe Department of Education should be communicating immediately with all schools, patron bodies, boards of management, teacher unions and every other actor in the education sphere,â Mr à Riordáin said.
âIt should also send a circular to inform everybody working in education and parents of the current status of the situation, what to look out for, how to address a suspected case.
âA knowledge vacuum is not what we need here at all. I know that anybody who is the parent of a child in that age group is absolutely terrified at the moment.
âEverybody wants to hear leadership and knowledge, similar to what happened around the pandemic. We need to hear some comforting noises from those in authority.
âWe need to have the reassurance of a body with the authority of NPHET and the Chief Medical Officer to inform the public exactly what the status of this virus is and what steps need to be taken to address it if there is a suspected case.
âThe prospect of another child dying is just too horrendous to think about, especially when we could potentially prevent it. We need a NPHET-style response to this.â
Sinn Féinâs education Donnchadh à Laoghaire said that the Department of Education and the Department of Health need to strike a balance between informing parents and frightening them. âAnything that the Department of Education is putting out needs to be based on public health advice,â he said.
âThe two departments should be talking to each other about what guidance is available to parents. There are risks, but we wouldnât want to be alarming parents either.â
Tanaiste Leo Varadkar said on Tuesday that he was âvery concerned about the situation and, of course, the sad events that weâve heard about, young children getting sick and potentially dyingâ
âIâve had a detailed discussion with officials on it and the CMO (Chief Medical Officer) has been in touch and has given us good advice,â he said. "What she says is the best advice to follow.â
Most cases of Strep A - also known as Group A streptococcus - are harmless and can cause strep throat, tonsillitis, and impetigo, which is a skin infection. However, in rare cases, if the infection gets into the blood, deep muscle, or lungs, it can become fatal unless caught early and treated with antibiotics Symptoms of the virus include a sore throat, fever, chills and muscle aches.
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