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Source: https://www.irishtimes.com/ireland/e...ep-a-concerns/
HSE confirms death of child (4) from strep A infection in east of Ireland
Schools warned by the health service of ‘significant rise’ in viral infections and concern over serious bacterial infections
Simon Carswell
Carl O'Brien
Wed Dec 7 2022 - 19:20
The Health Service Executive (HSE) has confirmed the death of a four-year-old child from the bacterial infection known as Strep A.
A local public health team is supporting their family and school, the HSE said.
The death took place in the health region covering north Dublin and the northeast area of the country.
The HSE had previously said that it was investigating the death of a child that may be linked to strep A.
It follows the death of a five-year-old girl from a severe form of the strep A infection in Northern Ireland.
Dr Éamonn O’Moore, director of the HSE’s Health Protection Surveillance Centre, said news of a child’s death “will be worrying for parents” but said that it was important to know that most children who get ill from strep A infections have a mild illness that can be treated with antibiotics.
“Group A Streptococci are a common bacteria that are often and usually relatively mild and self-limiting. They can cause infections like tonsillitis and pharyngitis and scarlet fever,” he said.
Dr O’Moore said the HPSC was monitoring strep A and scarlet fever at the moment and that there was as yet “no evidence that a new strain is in circulation.”
“There is likely a combination of factors as to why there has been a slight increase in infection this season, including increased social mixing following the pandemic, compared to previous years as well as increases in other respiratory viruses,” he said.
“If anyone is unwell with winter virus type symptoms, stay at home to stop the spread and this includes not sending children to creche or school until they are better.”
The HSE has advised parents to look out for infections that cause various symptoms such as sore throat, fever, chills and muscle acres.
Parents are urged to contact their GP if their child is getting worse, feeding or eating less than normal and has had a dry nappy or 12 hours or more or shows other signs of dehydration.
They should contact their doctor if their baby is under three months old and has a temperature of 38 celsius or is older than three months and has a temperature of 39 celsius or higher.
All schools are due to receive letters from the HSE which warn of a “significant increase” in viral infections and concern over serious bacterial infections such as strep A.
The letter, from Dr O’Moore, director of national health protection and Dr Abigail Collins, national clinical lead for public health among children, asks parents to keep children at home if they are unwell.
It says while many children may have a runny nose or a slight cough in winter season, a child who is feeling unwell with a fever, cough or sore throat should stay at home until those symptoms have finished.
“Children with symptoms are more likely to spread infections. For example, they may spread flu or bacterial infections. Staying home when unwell will help prevent spread to other children, families and staff,” it states.
The latter says there has been a large increase in general viral infections among children and young people this winter.
“We have seen a significant increase in the usual winter viral infections. This includes an increase in flu. This is because children are mixing together more. In previous years social contact was much reduced. This in turn reduced the rates of routine infection,” the letter says...
HSE confirms death of child (4) from strep A infection in east of Ireland
Schools warned by the health service of ‘significant rise’ in viral infections and concern over serious bacterial infections
Simon Carswell
Carl O'Brien
Wed Dec 7 2022 - 19:20
The Health Service Executive (HSE) has confirmed the death of a four-year-old child from the bacterial infection known as Strep A.
A local public health team is supporting their family and school, the HSE said.
The death took place in the health region covering north Dublin and the northeast area of the country.
The HSE had previously said that it was investigating the death of a child that may be linked to strep A.
It follows the death of a five-year-old girl from a severe form of the strep A infection in Northern Ireland.
Dr Éamonn O’Moore, director of the HSE’s Health Protection Surveillance Centre, said news of a child’s death “will be worrying for parents” but said that it was important to know that most children who get ill from strep A infections have a mild illness that can be treated with antibiotics.
“Group A Streptococci are a common bacteria that are often and usually relatively mild and self-limiting. They can cause infections like tonsillitis and pharyngitis and scarlet fever,” he said.
Dr O’Moore said the HPSC was monitoring strep A and scarlet fever at the moment and that there was as yet “no evidence that a new strain is in circulation.”
“There is likely a combination of factors as to why there has been a slight increase in infection this season, including increased social mixing following the pandemic, compared to previous years as well as increases in other respiratory viruses,” he said.
“If anyone is unwell with winter virus type symptoms, stay at home to stop the spread and this includes not sending children to creche or school until they are better.”
The HSE has advised parents to look out for infections that cause various symptoms such as sore throat, fever, chills and muscle acres.
Parents are urged to contact their GP if their child is getting worse, feeding or eating less than normal and has had a dry nappy or 12 hours or more or shows other signs of dehydration.
They should contact their doctor if their baby is under three months old and has a temperature of 38 celsius or is older than three months and has a temperature of 39 celsius or higher.
All schools are due to receive letters from the HSE which warn of a “significant increase” in viral infections and concern over serious bacterial infections such as strep A.
The letter, from Dr O’Moore, director of national health protection and Dr Abigail Collins, national clinical lead for public health among children, asks parents to keep children at home if they are unwell.
It says while many children may have a runny nose or a slight cough in winter season, a child who is feeling unwell with a fever, cough or sore throat should stay at home until those symptoms have finished.
“Children with symptoms are more likely to spread infections. For example, they may spread flu or bacterial infections. Staying home when unwell will help prevent spread to other children, families and staff,” it states.
The latter says there has been a large increase in general viral infections among children and young people this winter.
“We have seen a significant increase in the usual winter viral infections. This includes an increase in flu. This is because children are mixing together more. In previous years social contact was much reduced. This in turn reduced the rates of routine infection,” the letter says...
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