WEB DESK
A five-year-old girl has died from an illness linked to the bacterial infection strep A.
The Black Mountain Primary School pupil became severely ill last week and was treated at the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children, but died on Monday. On Friday the Public Health Agency (PHA) sent a letter to parents of P1 to P3 children at the school. Children were asked to attend a clinic to be seen by a doctor and receive a preventative course of antibiotics. Black Mountain Primary said the girl’s death was a tragic loss to the school community. “The thoughts of the entire school are with the pupil’s family and friends at this difficult time,” it said in a statement.
It sought to reassure parents that it was working closely with the PHA: The school remains open but is undergoing a deep clean, and trained staff from the Education Authority critical incident response team are providing support. In the rest of the UK, seven children in England and one in Wales have died due to complications from strep A bacterial infections since September.
Analysis: Cases are likely to rise
Parents need to be vigilant – that is the message from health officials and local doctors. While those looking after children may be nervous about this unfolding story, most cases are mild. The UK is experiencing an outbreak because for two years, and during the pandemic, children didn’t mix and their systems are not immune to a number of different infections.
There is a warning that the number of cases of both strep A and scarlet fever will rise over the coming weeks. It is highly contagious so the advice from experts is keep sick children at home. Parents of children who deteriorate quickly should seek urgent medical advice.
On Monday, dozens of pupils at Brackenagh West Primary School near Kilkeel in County Down were reported to be suffering from strep A infections, its principal said: Two had been taken to hospital. The PHA is asking school parents to be vigilant, and community groups have been contacted about affected children who may have used their facilities.
What is Strep A?
Most strep A infections are mild – a sore throat or a skin infection that can be easily treated with antibiotics. But some people who catch it can get very sick.
