Boy, 4, is fourth child to die from Strep A as parents ‘broken’ by death of girl, 7, in bacterial infection spread
A FOUR-YEAR-OLD boy is the fourth child to die from Strep A - with one set of parents "broken" by the death of their daughter, 7, as the tragic number of deaths from the bacterial infection continues to rise.
Muhammad Ibrahim Ali, aged four, died at his home according to his devastated family, after three other primary school pupils were killed by the infection in the space of just a few days.
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"He was very helpful around the house and quite adventurous, he loved exploring and enjoyed the forest school, his best day was a Monday and said how Monday was the best day of the week.
"He also had a very close bond with his dad. He was his best friend and went everywhere with him. He just wanted to be with him."
A statement from his school said: "Ibrahim was a friendly boy who loved coming to Oakridge School.
"He had lots of energy and was always active. He particularly loved being outdoors in forest school.
"She was the most beautiful, bubbly, funny, loveable person. Family are heartbroken.
"All funds to be donated to a charity of the family’s choice."
Friends collecting money for a charity of the family's choice have already trebled the target of £500.
One friend said: "Such tragic news. Love to the whole family."
In a joint statement yesterday, the school and Vale of Glamorgan Council confirmed her passing.
It said: "Both the school and council would like to pass on their heartfelt condolences to the family at this incredibly difficult time.
"Support is being provided to staff and pupils by the council’s team of educational psychologists and information from Public Health Wales has been circulated to parents where appropriate.
"It is unlikely that other pupils will be affected by the illness and severe symptoms are extremely rare.
"Sensible precautions such as regular hand-washing and not attending school when ill can reduce the risk of infection."
One mum paid tribute to the youngster: "Hanna was a beautiful soul. Our thoughts are with you all at this tragic time."
Hanna passed away on November 25 after contracting the invasive infection that has symptoms including high fever, vomiting and a sore throat.
Earlier today, a youngster, who was a student at St John's School, Green Man Gardens, London, was also confirmed to have killed by invasive Strep A.
Another child from nearby North Ealing Primary School, Pitshanger Lane, is currently in hospital with an unconfirmed illness.
But many pupils at this child's school are off sick with scarlet fever, which is caused by Group A streptococcal bacteria, which can also cause invasive Strep A.
It is this invasive version of the infection that can lead to a serious health condition.
While Group Strep A disease can trigger conditions like necrotising fasciitis and toxic shock syndrome.
The UK Health Security Agency said the two cases in Wales and Surrey were not related.
HIGH ALERT: Symptoms of invasive Strep A
Group A Streptococcus (GAS) – is also known as Streptococcus pyogenes - and is a bacteria that can cause mild illnesses like sore throats and skin infections, including tonsillitis cellulitis, impetigo and scarlet fever.
In rare cases, the bacteria can trigger the life-threatening illness, invasive Group Strep A disease.
from the NHS states that there are four key signs of invasive disease:
- fever (a high temperature above 38°C (100.4°F)
- severe muscle aches
- localised muscle tenderness
- redness at the site of a wound
Invasive disease happens when the bacteria break through the body's immune defences.
It can happen if you're already ill or have a weakened immune system.
Two of the most severe examples of invasive disease are necrotising fasciitis and toxic shock syndrome.
You're at increased risk of Group Strep A invasive disease if you:
- are in close contact with someone who has the disease
- are over the age of 65
- are diabetic, have heart disease or cancer
- have recently had chickenpox
- have HIV
- use some steroids or intravenous drugs, according to the NHS.
Group Strep A bacteria can also cause scarlet fever, which can be serious if it's not treated with antibiotics.
Strep A is a bacterial infection is mostly mild in cases but can be life-threatening and lead to scarlet fever.
The North West London Health Protection Team said to Ealing GPs in an email seen by MyLondon that a number of primary students were off school with several different viral infections, including scarlet fever.
As multiple viral infections are circulated in the winter months, the risk of scarlet fever having greater severity grows.
Hanna's death came after a six-year-old child in Year One at a school in Surrey was the first child to die after a Strep A outbreak earlier this week.
Two more cases of Group A streptococcal infection, also known as Strep A, were confirmed at a school close to the one attended by a six-year-old girl who died from the infection.
The Year 1 pupil at the Ashford Church of England Primary School in Ashford, Surrey, died on November 22.
All the pupils and staff at the school were given strong antibiotics by specialists from the UK Health Security Agency.
The UK Health Security Agency has now been notified of cases of Strep A in Year 1 and Year 6 at nearby Echelford School - while a third pupil has closely-related condition scarlet fever.
A letter is understood to have been sent to all parents of kids at Echelford, informing them they had switched off drinking water fountains and were monitoring pupils carefully.
Senior staff at Echelford reportedly said they had been advised that children should continue to attend school as normal and parents should not be overly alarmed.
They assured they would continue to improve their focus on hygiene throughout the school by increasing hand hygiene and cleaning of key areas.
HEALTH RESPONSE
Public Health Wales is working with the school to raise awareness of invasive Group A Streptococcal (iGAs) disease.
Dr Ardiana Gjini, consultant in communicable disease control for Public Health Wales, said: "Although it is unlikely that their child will be affected by iGAS infection relevant individuals are being advised that they should familiarise themselves with the symptoms and what to do if these symptoms occur.
"Contracting iGAS disease from a contact is very rare. Most people who come into contact with Group A Streptococcal infection remain well and symptom-free or develop mild throat or skin infections."
Public Health Wales has reminded parents to consider nasal flu vaccine for their children where appropriate.
Dr Gjini added: "Public Health Wales is working with Cardiff and Vale University Health Board and the Vale of Glamorgan Council following the death of a pupil at Victoria Primary School, Penarth.
"We offer our deepest condolences to the family, friends, and all those affected. Public Health Wales cannot comment on individual cases and we ask that the privacy of the family is respected."
A spokesman for the UK Health Security Agency said in response to the latest confirmed cases: "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.
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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.