A young child has died after being diagnosed with Strep A – the eighth to have been killed by the bacterial infection in recent weeks.
The latest victim was a pupil at Morelands Primary School in Waterlooville, Hampshire.
An invasive form of the Strep A bacterial infection has spread across the UK in recent months, with No 10 warning parents to be “on the lookout” for symptoms.
The infection usually causes a sore throat, scarlet fever or skin rash and is passed by physical contact or through droplets from sneezing or coughing.
The UK Health Security Agency said it was important that “accurate information is shared with the school community”.
Simon Bryant, director of public health at Hampshire County Council, said the authority was “working closely with the school to raise awareness amongst parents and carers of the signs and symptoms of Group A Streptococcal infections”.
