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Streptococci A bacteria
Photo: HO / REUTERS
After the deaths of six children in connection with streptococcus A infections within a few weeks, the British public health authority warns of the highly contagious bacteria that can cause scarlet fever, among other things.
The number of scarlet fever cases is many times higher than normal, the UK Health Security Agency said on Friday.
Parents should pay attention to their children's scarlet fever symptoms, inform the health service or their doctor if they suspect it - and give the children antibiotics as soon as they are diagnosed with scarlet fever.
A total of five children in England and one child in Wales have died since September from Strep A infections;
According to media reports, one or two such deaths per winter are common.
Scarlet fever is usually mild.
But the number of infections in Great Britain is exceptionally high.
According to the agency, 851 cases were detected in the third week of November;
in recent years there have been an average of 186 cases per week.
"The [Streptococcal A] bacterium usually causes a mild infection that is easily treated with antibiotics," said Colin Brown, deputy chief of the UK Health Security Agency.
"In very rare circumstances, the bacterium can enter the bloodstream and cause a serious illness."
Therefore, according to Brown, it is important "that parents are on the lookout for symptoms and seek medical attention as soon as possible" in order to stop the infection from progressing.
Symptoms of scarlet fever can include a sore throat, headache, fever, or a pink or red velvety body rash.
According to the authority, there is no evidence that a novel strain of bacteria is circulating in the population.
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