A new fatal case of group A streptococcus (GAS) has been confirmed by the

British health authorities

, bringing to four the number of

minors who have died

as a result of bacterial infection in the last ten days.

Confirmed deaths associated with the so-called Strep A have taken place in different towns in

England and Wales

.

Group A streptococci are bacteria that tend to be present in the throat and on a person's skin.

Most GAS infections result in

relatively mild illnesses

, such as strep throat and impetigo.

However, these bacteria can sometimes cause

more serious diseases

, such as necrotizing fasciitis (called "flesh-eating bacteria") and strep toxic shock syndrome (STSS).

Tonsillitis, scarlet fever or pneumonia

are mentioned among the most common ailments caused by this bacterium.

Some children may carry group A strep in their throat or on their skin

without showing symptoms

of any disease.

The British authorities have detected an increase in the child population affected by IGAS infection, which they relate to social

isolation

and confinement measures adopted during the coronavirus pandemic.

The last deceased minor, who was officially reported this Friday, has been identified as Muhammad Ibrahim Ali, a four-year-old boy who studied at a public school in High Wycombre, in the

English county of Buckingham

.

Authorities have confirmed that he contracted an invasive form of GAS.

"This is a tragic case... we have provided advice to the school and kindergarten to prevent further cases and we will continue to

review the situation

," Dr Jill Morris of the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) told reporters.

Hours before, the death due to the GAS infection of a child in London, who was studying in the Ealing neighborhood, west of the capital, was also confirmed.

Two other schoolchildren

died from the infection in

the last ten days in Cardiff, the capital of Wales, and in England.

The recent English case has been linked to an outbreak of the infection detected in a school in Surrey, south of London.

Strep A is spread by

direct contact with nasal

or throat secretions from people with infected skin lesions.

The risk of contagion is greater when the carrier has developed symptoms, the presence of streptococci is

located in the throat

or has infected wounds.

Antibiotics are the first shock treatment to prevent disease development and prevent the spread of infection.

According to the criteria of The Trust Project

Know more

  • London