Two more cases of the deadly infection that killed a six-year-old girl have been found at a nearby school.
The Year One pupil from the Ashford Church of England primary school in Surrey died of the highly infectious Group A streptococcal (iGAS) infection, which causes scarlet fever, last week.
Another child from the same school was hospitalised but is believed to be recovering.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has now been notified of cases of Strep A in Year 1 and Year 6 at nearby Echelford Primary School, while a third pupil has contracted scarlet fever.
Parents of children at the school are said to have received a letter informing them they had switched off all drinking water fountains and were monitoring pupils carefully.
The UK Health Security Agency has been notified of cases of Strep A in Year 1 and Year 6 at nearby Echelford Primary School, while a third pupil has scarlet fever
The two schools have experienced an outbreak of Strep A, health officials confirmed
One local parent said: ‘Parents are of course getting very concerned about this outbreak, especially as a child died last week.
‘It is every parent’s worst nightmare. We are being told to keep sending our kids into school but it feels incredibly risky given there are now at least four cases in the local area at two different schools.
‘Will our children be safe? It feels like it is a really serious situation. The schools and health authorities are trying to play it all down but behind the scenes there must be huge concern about this.’
Senior staff at Echelford Primary School reportedly told parents that they had informed the UKHSA of one case of scarlet fever and one case of Strep A confirmed within the Year 6 group and one case of Strep A in Year 1.
They said they had been advised that children should continue to attend school as normal, but that staff are reviewing and increasing their focus on hygiene in the school.
Parents were also given a fact sheet giving information about what symptoms to look out for at home.
A spokesman for the UKHSA said: ‘As part of our public health response to last week’s tragic news, we issued some general information about the signs and symptoms of scarlet fever, which is not uncommon, to schools in the vicinity of Ashford Primary.
‘A number of other illnesses typically circulate at this time of year and parents, school and nursery staff are advised to be aware of the symptoms, to keep up with vaccinations and to seek advice from NHS 111 if they have concerns.’
The bacteria – sometimes known as Strep Throat – usually causes a sore throat or skin rash and is passed by physical contact or through droplets from sneezing or coughing.
The Year One pupil from the Ashford Church of England primary school (pictured) in Surrey died of the highly infectious Group A streptococcal (iGAS) infection, which causes scarlet fever, last week
In very rare cases, the infection can become invasive and enter parts of the body where bacteria aren’t normally found.
Dr Claire Winslade, health protection consultant at UKHSA South East, said: ‘We are extremely saddened to hear about the death of a pupil at Ashford Church of England School, and our thoughts are with their family, friends and the school community.
‘As a precautionary measure, we have recommended antibiotics to pupils and staff in the same year groups as the individuals affected.
‘We have provided advice to the school to help prevent further cases and will continue to monitor the situation.
‘Information has been shared with parents about the signs and symptoms of iGAS, which include high fever with severe muscle aches, pain in one area of the body and unexplained vomiting or diarrhoea. Anyone with these symptoms should call NHS111 immediately.’
‘Infection with Group A Streptococcus bacterium usually causes a sore throat or skin rash and is passed by physical contact or through droplets from sneezing or coughing. In very rare cases, the infection can become invasive and enter parts of the body where bacteria aren’t normally found, which can be serious.’
