SCARLET fever infections were recorded last week across Buckinghamshire, while one person had whooping cough.

Weekly figures released by the UK Health Security Agency’s statutory notification of infectious diseases showed the number of people in Buckinghamshire, who contracted diseases during the week ending December 4.

A total of eight cases were found in Buckinghamshire as three people in Aylesbury Vale had scarlet fever, one person in the Chiltern area, two in South Bucks and two people had contracted the disease in High Wycombe.

Five cases of scarlet fever were recorded in Reading, seven in Windsor and Maidenhead, and one in Slough during last week.  

The data comes after the devastating deaths of 15 children under the age of 15 because of Strep A infection in the UK.

A family has been left heartbroken after four-year-old Muhammad Ibrahim Ali died at his home in High Wycombe on November 14 after suffering a cardiac arrest following a rare and invasive type of Strep A infection (iGAS), the UKHSA confirmed.   

READ MORE: Strep A: 15 children die from Strep A illness in UK

Strep A, or Group A streptococcus, can cause scarlet fever, throat infections, and in rare cases, an invasive form of the disease.

Usually, the mild form of infection can be treated with antibiotics, and only rarely the bacteria manages to get into the bloodstream and cause invasive Group A strep (iGAS).

What is Strep A?

Group A streptococcus (or Strep A) is known to cause scarlet fever, throat infections and, in very rare cases, invasive disease.

This can occur when bacteria get into parts of the body where bacteria are not usually found, such as the blood, muscle or the lungs.

It can happen if the bacteria get past a person’s defences, such as through an open wound or when a person’s immune system is depleted.

Strep A symptoms

The bacteria can be found in the throat and on the skin and people may carry it without displaying any symptoms.

It can live in throats and on hands for long enough to allow easy spread between people through sneezing, kissing and skin contact.

Invasive Strep A can cause further complications.

Symptoms include:

  • high fever
  • severe muscle aches
  • localised muscle tenderness
  • redness at site of a wound

Dr Yimmy Chow, health protection consultant at UKHSA London, said: “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.”

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