Less mixing due to COVID could increase Strep A infections

• Less mingling between youngsters due to the epidemic may have lowered Strep A immunity.
• More youngsters than usual have died from the bacterial infection.
• Most Strep A instances are mild and involve scarlet fever.

Less mingling between youngsters due to the epidemic may have lowered Strep A immunity, an expert says.

More youngsters than usual have died from the bacterial infection in the UK this year.

Most Strep A instances are mild and involve scarlet fever, which is treated with antibiotics.

The bacteria can become “invasive” and life-threatening if they enter the bloodstream or other body parts.

University of Reading microbiologist Dr. Simon Clarke said he wasn’t aware of a new strain but the COVID epidemic may have contributed to an increase in cases.

“As we’re seeing with flu, lack of mixing in kids may have lowered population-wide immunity, which could increase transmission,” said Dr. Clarke.

He said the cases are not localized in one place, but he expects “more cases in the following weeks and months.”

UKHSA revealed Friday that invasive Strep A instances (iGAS) have increased this year.

This year’s rate is 2.3 per 100,000 one- to four-year-olds, compared to 0.5 pre-pandemic (2017 to 2019).

Among 5-9-year-olds, there are 1.1 cases per 100,000 compared to 0.3 pre-pandemic.

The UKHSA said there was no proof of a novel strain and the increase was “likely due to circulating germs and social mixing.”

Five children in England and one in Wales have died this season from invasive Strep A.

In England, four people died during the last peak season (2017-2018).

High Wycombe’s Muhammad Ibrahim Ali, 4, is a victim. A JustGiving page in his memory called him “lovely, nice, cheerful, and enthusiastic.”

A toddler from Ealing, west London, died Friday.

UKHSA’s Dr. Yimmy Chow said, “We are terribly sorry by the death of a kid at St John’s Primary School. Our sympathies are with their family, friends, and the school community.”

Working with Ealing Council’s public health team, we’ve given the school community preventive advice to prevent more cases. We’re actively monitoring the situation.

A primary school student near Cardiff and a 6-year-old in Surrey have died from the virus.

The father of a 4-year-old child in critical condition told, he’s “hoping for a miracle.”

Camila Rose Burns is fighting for her life at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in Liverpool since Monday.

“She’s still quite sick,” he remarked.

Parents should inform their GP or phone 111 if they suspect scarlet fever to restrict its spread and reduce consequences.

The NHS now recommends giving youngsters a flu shot before Christmas after a spike in serious cases among under-5s.

Young children’s flu hospitalizations are 20 times higher than previous year. 230 under-5s were hospitalized this week, compared to 12 last year.

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