Parents issued advice after two Coventry children die from Strep A
The nine-year-old and 15-year-old died over the Christmas holidays.
Parents at two schools in Coventry have been issued with public health advice following the deaths of two pupils from Strep A infections.
The UK Health Security Agency says the nine-year-old and 15-year-old developed an Invasive Group A Strep (iGAS) infection while off school for the Christmas holiday and sadly died.
The UKHSA said they'd liaised with both schools involved, and advised that no further action was needed as the children became unwell during the school holiday so "no members of the school community were in close contact" when they were infectious.
Dr Roger Gajraj, Health Protection Consultant with UKHSA West Midlands, said: “Public health partners give their sincere condolences to the families and friends of those who have sadly died, following infection from Group A strep.
“Group A streptococcus (GAS), also referred to as Strep A is a common bacterium. Lots of us carry it in our throats and on our skin and it doesn’t always result in illness. However, GAS does cause a number of infections, some mild and some more serious. Most commonly GAS usually causes a sore throat or skin rash.
"On rare occasions, (GAS) can get into the bloodstream and cause an illness called invasive Group A strep (iGAS) which can be very serious.
“It is unlikely that people will develop iGAS after a Strep A infection. However if someone who has been in contact with an individual with Strep A and develops any of the following symptoms – high fever, severe muscle aches and pain in one area of the body, redness at the site of a wound, vomiting or diarrhoea, a sore throat or a skin infection such as impetigo or a rash, they should contact their GP or contact NHS 111 immediately.”