Strep A death toll now feared to be eight children as school confirms 'devastating' loss
05.12.2022 - 23:11
/ dailyrecord.co.uk
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