Two Scottish children die from Strep A infection
It brings the total number of people who have died in Scotland since October to seven.
Last updated 28th Dec 2022
Figures from Public Health Scotland released today show that two Scottish children have died due to a Strep A infection.
Both children were under 10 years old, and passed away between October and December of this year.
It brings the local number of people who have died from complications related to the infection in Scotland to seven.
It's understood that until now all other deaths were in those over 50.
The report reads: "Public Health Scotland is aware of seven deaths 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."
Recently there has been a rise in infections caused by the Strep A bacteria and some of those cases have led to more serious infections.
Several children have died as a result of the infection in other parts of the UK, but this is the first time it has been reported in Scotland.
Illnesses caused by the Group A strep bacteria include skin infection impetigo, scarlet fever and strep throat.