ANTIBIOTICS could be given to entire school classes and year groups affected by Strep A infections, a minister has confirmed.
Schools minister, Nick Gibb said health bosses were considering the ‘rare’ move after nine children died in the recent outbreak.
There is currently a shortage of two antibiotics used to treat the infectionGetty – Contributor
Nine children have died in the recent outbreak of the infection
Updated guidance on scarlet fever outbreaks, which are caused by Strep A, sets out how antibiotics can be used to prevent further cases of the infection.
But final decisions will be taken with local outbreak control teams (OCTs) on “case-by-case basis”.
It added: “It can be considered in exceptional circumstances for example, when there are reports of severe outcomes, or hospitalisations.”
Mr Gibb told GB News: “Lord Markham said in the House of Lords yesterday that the UK Health and Security Agency (UKHSA) are monitoring the position and are considering those kind of issues in those schools where there is an infection.
“This is an ongoing situation, the UKHSA are involved very closely with those schools and they will be providing further advice later on.
“But that may well be an option for those particular schools where there is an infection.”
However, there is currently a shortage of two antibiotics used to treat the infection.
Supply chain issues, rising costs and a global shortage of raw ingredients has sparked serious concern among pharmacy chiefs and parents.
Cases of the bug, which often masks as flu or the common-cold in the early stages, are usually high for this time of year.
Strep A bacteria can cause many health issues, most of which are mild.
They can include scarlet fever, tonsillitis and, very rarely, invasive group A streptococcal disease (iGAS).
What are the symptoms of invasive group A Strep?
There are four key signs of Group Strep A to watch out for, according to the NHS. These are:
A fever (meaning a high temperature above 38°C)
Severe muscle aches
Localised muscle tenderness
Redness at the site of a wound
The invasive version of the disease happens when the bacteria break through the body’s immune defences.
This can happen if you’re already feeling unwell or have an immune system that’s weakened
Two of the most severe examples of invasive disease are necrotising fasciitis – a very rare but life-threatening infection also called ‘flesh-eating disease’ – and toxic shock syndrome.
Nine children under 13 have reportedly died of a rare, invasive form of the strep A virus.
Among them are four-year-old Muhammad Ibrahim Ali from Buckinghamshire and Hanna Roap, seven, from South Wales.
Hanna’s father, Hasan, said: “We’re just numb, we don’t know what to do. As a family, we are traumatised and devastated.”
Camila Rose Burns, four, is fighting for her life on a ventilator in Liverpool.
The dad, who described the pain his family is feeling as “the worst in the world”, is now urging parents to look out for the signs and act quickly.
In response to the outbreak, Downing Street yesterday said it can “fully understand” that parents are concerned by rising Strep A cases, but stressed the NHS is “well prepared” for such situations.
The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “We are seeing a higher number of cases of Group A strep this year compared to usual.
“The bacteria we know causes a mild infection which is easily treated with antibiotics and in rare circumstances it can get into the bloodstream and cause serious illness.
“It is still uncommon but it’s important parents are on the lookout for symptoms.
“But the NHS is well prepared to deal with situations like this, working with the UK Health Security Agency.”
He said any parents who are concerned should contact the NHS.
There is no evidence to suggest there had been a change to the circulating strains of Strep A to make them more severe.
Dr Colin Brown from UKSHA told Sky News suggested that a lack of mixing due to the Covid pandemic plus susceptibility in children are probably “bringing forward the normal scarlet fever season” from spring to this side of Christmas.
Dr Brown suggested that a lack of mixing due to the Covid pandemic plus susceptibility in children are probably “bringing forward the normal scarlet fever season” from spring to this side of Christmas.
He said: “There isn’t something that is particularly new or novel about the bacteria that are causing the infections that we’re seeing at the moment.
“We are seeing a larger number of infections, for example, causing scarlet fever, than we would normally see this time of year.”
The Covid pandemic lockdown is being blamed for the outbreak because children were shuttered away – creating a lower immunity to infections.
Q&A with Sun’ Dr Jeff Foster
Q) What is Strep A?
A) Group A Streptococcus is the name of a bacteria which can cause different infections and is commonly found in children under the age of ten.
Every year doctors will see a lot of children with suspected Strep A. You can get mild cases where you might not even know what it is because they would just have a temperature and a sore throat.
It can become scarlet fever which you can spot if your children develops a rash. It looks like sandpaper and develops around four or five days after the temperature starts.
The child would also get red flushing cheeks.
Q) What is invasive Group A Strep or iGAS?
A) In very rare cases the bacteria can get invade parts of the body including the blood, muscles or lungs.
Early signs and symptoms of such disease include a high fever, severe muscle aches, pain in one area of the body, redness at the site of a wound and vomiting or diarrhoea.
Q) How does it spread?
A) It is spread by droplets and close contact — through your spit, sneezing, coughing and touching infected surfaces.
It is passed on in the same way as a common cold.
Q) Why has there been such an increase in cases?
A) It is believed to be because during Covid lockdowns young children were not mixing which would usually help to build up the immune system.
If you are constantly exposed to a little bit of Group A Strep and similar bacteria then your immune system would be ready and would nail it when it comes back into contact.
Q) How is it treated?
A) Scarlet fever and impetigo, which are both caused by Strep A, can be treated with antibiotics.
Mild cases which cause a sore throat or a high temperature will usually clear up on their own.