Parents have been warned over a new bacteria outbreak in schools after a child died.

The UK Health Security Agency confirmed the death of the schoolchild while another is currently in hospital battling the invasive infection found in a Surrey primary school - the same infection that is sweeping through a number of primary schools in Cornwall currently. 

The year one Ashford Church of England pupil, aged six, caught the Group A streptococcal (iGAS) infection, a type of infection known to cause scarlet fever.

The child sadly and suddenly died from the infection, prompting a warning to other parents about the emergency.

Thankfully it is still extremely rare for the infection to be fatal, but parents are encouraged to know the symptoms to watch out for. 

This week the Royal Cornwall Hospital Trust put out a warning about a rise in cases of scarlet fever in the Duchy recently. 

The infection has been sweeping through schools over the last fortnight, including a number in west Cornwall. 

Group A streptococcus is known to turn into scarlet fever, throat infections, and, in some cases invasive diseases.

This occurs when the bacteria reach parts of the body they would not normally be found in such as the lungs, blood, and muscles.

This can happen when it passes a person's immune system through an open wound.

However, most people who come into contact with the bacteria will be healthy and symptom-free.

Symptoms of the infection 

Here are the symptoms associated with the outbreak:

  • Strep throat - Some symptoms could see the infected person experience a sore throat, tonsils, pain when swallowing, muscle pain, and tiredness.
  • Scarlet Fever - Symptoms of this include a sore red throat, swollen glands, and a fever. This can also see red blotches appear on the skin as well as red bumps on the tongue.
  • Necrotising fasciitis - This leads to deep, painful sores on the skin as well as a fever, vomiting, diarrhea, septic shock, and organ failure.
  • Impetigo - Sores and blisters on the skin that can burst, leaving a moist area with a yellow/brown crust.
  • Cellulitis - Red and inflamed skin that is swollen, and feeling hot, tight, and painful.

If you or your child is experiencing these symptoms, please contact the NHS on 111.