The child went to St John’s in Ealing
Six children have now died after contracting Strep A, the UK Health Safety Authority (UKHSA) has confirmed.
Five children under the age of 10 in England have died from a type of infectious disease. A Welsh girl also died from the A group.
On Friday, a student at a school in west London – St John’s School, Ealing – was confirmed as one of the victims.
UKHSA said it was working with Ealing Council to produce public health advice.
The child’s death followed that of two others at primary schools in Penarth, Vale of Glamorgan, and Ashford, Surrey.
The family of Hanna Roap, from Penarth, whose death from the disease was confirmed this week, said their “hearts have been broken into a million pieces”.
It has also been confirmed that a four-year-old boy from High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire died of Strep A last month.
On Friday, he was named Muhammad Ibrahim Ali, who attended Oakridge School and Kindergarten.
A statement from his school said he will be greatly missed.
It read: “He had lots of energy and was always active. He especially loved being outside at the forest school.
“Ibrahim was kind and loved helping his friends. He was always smiling. We are one big family in Oakridge and he will be greatly missed.
“The school has been working closely with the UK Security Agency, who have thoroughly assessed the risk to the school, and we are following their advice to keep everyone safe.
“We advise parents to monitor their children for symptoms and to go to the GP if they are concerned. We have thoroughly cleaned the classrooms.”
‘Very common infection’
Group A Streptococcal (GAS) can cause scarlet fever.
However, the UKHSA told the BBC that it is important that people understand that scarlet fever is a mild illness and the GAS bacteria that causes it is rare.
It is this form of the bacteria – Group A Streptococcal (iGAS) – that can lead to serious illness.
Dr Liz Whittaker, a pediatric epidemiologist and immunologist at Imperial College London, said GAS was “a very common infection”.
“What I’m concerned about is when it becomes attractive and intense,” she explained.
She said parents of elementary school children “shouldn’t worry, but they should know when they need medical attention — if a child’s temperature doesn’t settle after four or five days or they’re breathing fast or lethargic or not doing well.” drink, then get advice from 111 online or by phone.”
Dr Whittaker added that there had been very few cases like this in the past two years due to the coronavirus restrictions.
“We’re seeing a lot of Strep A circulating at the moment, and the more you see, the more serious you’ll see.”
What is Strep A?
Dr Yimmy Chow, health protection consultant at UKHSA London, said: “We are very sorry to hear of the death of a child at St John’s Primary School and our thoughts are with their family, friends and the school community.
“Working with Ealing Council’s public health team, we have provided precautionary advice to the school community to help prevent further cases, and we continue to monitor the situation closely.”
The UKHSA says symptoms of group A streptococcal infection include sore throat, fever and mild skin infections, and can be treated with a full course of antibiotics prescribed by a GP.
“In rare cases, it can be a serious illness. Anyone with a high fever, severe muscle aches, body aches and unexplained vomiting or diarrhea should call NHS 111 and seek medical help immediately. ,” Dr Chow added.
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