Spain also affected by fatal Streptococcal A infections

Spain is also experiencing a worrying increase in Streptococcal A infections. Sixteen children, aged 1 to 12, have tested positive since October 19 and two of them have died in the Madrid region, the channel reports. Telecinco in an article relayed by

.

The condition of the 14 other sick miners is said to have improved thanks to antibiotic treatment.

Several deaths in France

French health authorities warned on Tuesday of an unusual increase in streptococcal A infections over the past fortnight, bacteria that cause scarlet fever in particular, AFP reported.

Two children and one adult died in hospital due to complications from these infections, according to the Directorate General of Health (DGS).

But the situation is probably not just about these proven cases.

Caregivers have indeed traced an “upsurge in serious forms and deaths (…) following a streptococcal A infection in several children, for a few weeks”, warned the DGS.

A shortage of amoxicillin

The UK is also affected with at least six child deaths attributed to strep A infection.

This outbreak of bacterial infections also occurs in a context of shortage of the main antibiotic used in children, amoxicillin.

Several organizations of doctors - infectious disease specialists and pediatricians - have warned that this shortage risks causing a serious public health crisis among children.

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