An unusual increase for several days. At least six children in the UK, one adult and two children in France have died within days of an invasive strep A infection. bronchiolitis, influenza and Covid, the Directorate General of Health reports an “upsurge in serious forms and deaths” due to these infections. 20 minutes make the point.
What is a streptococcal A infection?
Streptococci A are a class of bacteria that cause various infections. They can cause either mild or fatal infections, especially when they reach the bloodstream. These bacteria are the cause of diseases such as angina, impetigo (skin infection) or scarlet fever, one of the main childhood diseases.
These infections can be “easily treated with antibiotics,” said Dr. Colin Brown, deputy director of the British health security agency, in a statement.
What’s happening in France?
In France, the Directorate General of Health (DGS) warned on Tuesday that an unusual upsurge in streptococcal A infections is underway. Three regions have been mainly affected for the past fortnight: Occitania, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, and New Aquitaine. Since the start of this season, two children and an adult have died in hospital as a result of these infections, according to the DGS. But the situation is probably not just about these proven cases.
According to the DGS, the recent serious cases have “no link between them” and appear to be caused by “different strains”. However, the outbreak of bacterial infections occurs in a context of shortage of the main antibiotic used in children and effective against these infections: amoxicillin. Several organizations of doctors, infectious disease specialists and pediatricians have warned that this shortage risks causing a serious public health crisis in children.
What is the situation in the UK?
In the United Kingdom, at least six child deaths – five in England and one in Wales – have been attributed to a similar infection of streptococci A. The British authorities, like the French, however consider it unlikely that this resurgence is due to the emergence of a new, more dangerous bacterial strain. To learn more about the British situation, it happens just below.
While the British health authorities are also investigating serious respiratory infections caused by the bacterium, the French Directorate General for Health has planned to “specify the recommendations for the management of cases and contact persons, in particular in the current context of tension on amoxicillin”.