Ashford bacteria outbreak: Child recovering after Strep A kills one - BBC

A kid taken to infirmary aft being infected successful a bacteria outbreak astatine a Surrey superior schoolhouse is showing signs of recovery, parents person been told.

Another pupil, believed to beryllium aged six, has died aft catching the invasive radical A streptococcal infection.

Health officers recommended antibiotics for the twelvemonth radical astatine Ashford Church of England School arsenic a precaution.

A schoolhouse email to parents said a 2nd kid had the aforesaid unwellness but was showing "positive signs".

Advice connected the infection, including what symptoms families should look for, has been distributed much wide crossed schools successful the county.

The BBC was told immoderate parents had not sent their children to the schoolhouse connected Friday amid claims it had not been heavy cleaned.

Surrey County Council (SCC) confirmed determination had been a flimsy driblet successful attendance.

SCC said wellness officials had said a heavy cleanable was not indispensable but the schoolhouse was arranging 1 this play arsenic a precaution.

Cases of the invasive radical A streptococcal infection, which is sometimes called Strep A, person been rising precocious aft the easing of Covid restrictions.

It is simply a highly contagious bacterial corruption that tin beryllium highly superior - though it is treatable.

Spread successful coughs and sneezes, cases hap astir often successful the winter.

Symptoms see a rash, a sore throat, flushed cheeks and swollen tongue. Early attraction with antibiotics is important.

SCC said 12 schools contacted with a information expanse included Ashford North & Stanwell South; Ashford Town; Ashford Common; Ashford East; Sunbury East; Sunbury Common; Laleham & Shepperton Green; Shepperton Town; Halliford and Sunbury West; Staines; Staines South and Stanwell North.

The papers was dated Thursday, the aforesaid time the outbreak was confirmed.

Dr Claire Winslade, UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) wellness extortion consultant, besides confirmed that a kid had died and said: "As a precautionary measure, we person recommended antibiotics to pupils and unit successful the aforesaid twelvemonth groups arsenic the individuals affected.

"We person provided proposal to the schoolhouse to assistance forestall further cases and volition proceed to show the situation."

The UKHSA said officials contacted parents astatine the schoolhouse connected Wednesday with letters for parents whose children were eligible for antibiotics and a abstracted missive for parents of different twelvemonth groups, who were not.

Following a hazard appraisal connected Tuesday, Years 1 and 2 were offered antibiotics arsenic a precaution, the UKHSA said.

A wellness extortion squad shared accusation with parents astir signs and symptoms of the corruption and was moving with the schoolhouse to connection ongoing support, the bureau added.

The information expanse was shared with different superior schools by the assembly connected Thursday, the UKHSA said.

The bureau said: "There is, however, nary wider hazard to nationalist health."

An email from the schoolhouse to parents said: "It is with the deepest regret and sadness that I person to pass you that a kid successful Tiger class, twelvemonth one, has sadly died aft processing invasive Group A streptococcal (IGAS).

"We are besides alert that a kid successful a twelvemonth 2 people has developed the aforesaid unwellness but is showing affirmative signs of recovery."