According to Public Health Scotland (PHS), between October and December, two children under the age of 10 passed away.

Strep A instances typically result in a mild disease, such as a sore throat or scarlet fever, but they can very rarely progress to an invasive Group A Strep (iGAS) infection.

Two of the seven iGAS deaths reported by PHS in its most recent update were in minors.

On its website, the organization states: “PHS is aware of seven deaths among iGAS cases between 3 October and 25 December 2022 that appear to fulfil the case description, two of whom were in children under 10 years of age.

“This contrasts with zero to seven deaths reported during the same period of previous years,” the statement reads.

Humza Yousaf, the health secretary for Scotland, commented on the PHS study online.

“Every death is a tragedy, particularly those of young children, my thoughts with families and loved ones affected,” he tweeted.

“Thankfully most cases of Strep A present as mild illness and can be treated with antibiotics.”

Mr. Yousaf said he was working with the UK government to ensure there were adequate supplies to treat the illness.

He added: “Where localized shortages of first line treatments occur there are alternative and effective antibiotics available.”

According to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), 94 incidents of iGAS-related deaths within seven days of diagnosis have been reported in England to date. 16 of them were kids 10 years old or younger.

The UKHSA has stated that greater social mixing and high levels of the bacterium circulating are most likely to blame for an increase in Strep A cases this year.

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