At least 21 children in Britain have died from group A streptococcus bacteria, according to the latest figures, with two deaths in Scotland confirmed today.
Between October 3 and December 25, seven deaths were reported in the Scottish territory due to group A bacterial infections, two of which were in children under 10 years of age, the government agency’s report revealed.
Taken together, a total of 21 children in the UK have died as a result of invasive group A streptococcal infection (iGAS), whose symptoms include skin infections, scarlet fever and sore throat.
Although most of these infections are relatively mild and can be treated with antibiotics, in rare cases the bacteria can cause an illness that can be fatal.
Several European countries have seen an increase in cases of the disease and associated deaths among children under the age of ten in recent months.
According to a note from the Directorate General of Health (DGS) published on December 16, Portugal has not registered any cases of scarlet fever and invasive infections caused by group A streptococci.
“To date, no cases have been reported in Portugal with a profile similar to that reported in affected countries,” the DGS writes.
The World Health Organization (WHO) reported in mid-December that five countries in the European region — France, Ireland, the Netherlands, Sweden and the United Kingdom — had increased cases of group A streptococci and, in some cases, invasive infections. , Scarlet fever.
Affected countries and the European Center for Disease Control and Prevention (ECDC) said that, so far, there is no evidence of a new bacterial strain spreading, or an increase in antibiotic resistance to the agent.
They also said that affected countries should maintain a routine medical and public health approach to these types of infections.
Group A streptococcal infections usually affect people, especially children, during the winter and early spring months.
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