Fourth child dies from Strep A bacterial infection as family of second victim ‘heartbroken’

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A primary school-aged child has died after contracting the Strep A bacterial infection – the fourth in a month.

The pupil from St John’s School in Ealing, west London, died the day after Hanna Roap, aged seven, from Penarth, Wales, died within 24 hours of falling ill.

Last week, a six-year-old girl died following an outbreak of the infection at a school in Surrey.

And it also emerged today that a four-year-old boy from Buckinghamshire died of Strep A on 14 November. Neither of these two children has been publicly identified.

Yimmy Chow, health protection consultant at the UK Health Security Agency in 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.”

Strep A is a common infection that causes strep throat, or tonsillitis, scarlet fever and, in extreme cases, invasive Group A Strep (iGAS), which can be fatal.

Earlier, Hanna’s parents paid tribute to their daughter.

Strep A is a common infection that causes strep throat, or tonsillitis, scarlet fever and, in extreme cases, invasive Group A Strep (iGAS), which can be fatal.

(AP)

Her mother, Salah, and father, Abul, both 37, said: “As most of you will be wondering what the cause of death was and to prevent misinformation, Hanna passed away as a result of contracting Strep A.

“It all happened suddenly,” they said.

“We are sorry we have not responded to any messages, texts, emails, and calls. Sorry if we are unable to make eye contact if we see you walking by. Our hearts have been broken into a million pieces. Our only priority is the welfare of Hanna’s eight-year-old sister and best friend,” her parents added, according to Wales Online.

Following her death, Dr Gjini said Wales Public Health was working with the school to raise awareness about the infection, suggesting people familiarise themselves with the symptoms of fever, sore throat, severe muscle aches and redness at the site of a wound.

“We offer our deepest condolences to the family, friends and all those affected,” the doctor said.

Ruth Hutchinson, director of public health at Surrey County Council, said: “We are deeply saddened by the death of a pupil at Ashford Church of England School and we offer our sincere condolences to their family, friends and the whole school community, who are in our thoughts.”