A pupil who went to St John’s Primary School in West Ealing has become the first child in London to die from a Strep A infection that has also claimed the lives of three other children across the UK over the past week.
Specialists from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) are working with Ealing Council to provide public health advice and support to St John’s Primary School.
Dr Yimmy Chow, health protection consultant at UKHSA, said: “We are extremely saddened to hear about the death of a child at St John’s Primary School, and our thoughts are with their family, friends and the school community.”
The UKHSA said Group A streptococcal infections usually result in mild illness. Among the conditions of Strep A is scarlet fever which mainly affects young children. Symptoms from Strep A include fever, sore throat and and minor skin infections and is treated by antibiotics prescribed by a GP.
Dr Chow added: “Working with Ealing Council 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. In rare incidences, it can be a severe illness and anyone with high fever, severe muscle aches, pain in one area of the body and unexplained vomiting or diarrhoea should call NHS 111 and seek medical help immediately.”
