Strep A: Third primary school pupil dies after viral infection outbreak in ... trends now
A third primary school pupil has died after contracting Strep A as calls for a full investigation continue after a deadly bacteria outbreak.
The child attended St John's School in Ealing, west London, and health officials consider the case controlled and unrelated to earlier incidents.
A second pupil from nearby North Ealing Primary School, which has recently seen a number of viral infections, including scarlet fever, remains in hospital with an unconfirmed illness.
The UK Health Security Agency has said they do not believe the two cases are related.
The news comes after a two primary school pupils, one in Wales and another in Surrey, died of invasive Strep A less than a week apart.
A third primary school pupil who attended St John's School in Ealing, west London (pictured) has died after contracting Strep A as calls for a full investigation continue after a bacteria outbreak
The news comes after a two primary school pupils, one in Wales and another in Surrey, died of invasive Strep A less than a week apart
Dr Yimmy Chow, health protection consultant at UKHSA London, said: 'We are extremely saddened to hear about the death of a child at St John's Primary School, and our thoughts are with their family, friends and the school community.
'Working with Ealing Council public health team, we have provided precautionary advice to the school community to help prevent further cases and we continue to monitor the situation closely.
'Group A streptococcal infections usually result in mild illness, and information has been shared with parents and staff about the signs and symptoms.
'These include a sore throat, fever and minor skin infections, and can be treated with a full course of antibiotics from the GP. In rare incidences, it can be a severe illness and anyone with high fever, severe muscle aches, pain in one area of the body and unexplained vomiting or diarrhoea should call NHS 111 and seek medical help immediately.'
The North West London Health Protection Team emailed local GPs to warn of the spread of numerous viral infections within local primary school age groups.
St John's School and North Ealing Primary School declined to comment on the outbreak.
Victoria Primary School in Penarth, Wales, where a primary school pupil died from a Strep A infection earlier this week
Ashford Church of England Primary School in England, where a death was reported of a six-year-old pupil from Strep A last week
Last night it was confirmed that a primary school pupil in Wales died from Strep A, following the death of a six-year-old from the same infection in England last week.
The primary schoolgirl named only as Hanna by family friends became the second schoolchild to die from the infection within a week.
One mother said: 'Hanna was a beautiful soul. Our thoughts are with you all at this tragic time.'
Another friend added: 'She was the most beautiful, bubbly, funny, loveable person. Her family are heartbroken.'
The death of the Victoria Primary School pupil in Penarth was confirmed by the school as
