Downing Street urges parents to be on the lookout for symptoms amid rising cases of Strep A bacteria in children
Downing Street has urged parents to be on the lookout for symptoms after a rise in infections caused by the Strep A bacteria.
Officials said they can fully understand that parents are concerned by rising cases but stressed the NHS is well prepared for such situations.
Number 10 said it was not aware of any shortage of the antibiotic amoxicillin after the head of the Association of Independent Multiple Pharmacies, Leyla Hannbeck, tweeted that "pharmacies are reporting shortage of amoxicillin liquid for children at a time when cases of Strep A are rising".
Across the UK at least seven children have died with an invasive form of the Strep A bacteria.
There were reports last night of an eighth death. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has said it will not comment on individual cases.
Asked about the recent rise in cases, the Prime Minister's official spokesman said: "We are seeing a higher number of cases of Group A strep this
year compared to usual.
"The bacteria we know causes a mild infection which is easily treated with antibiotics and in rare circumstances it can get into the bloodstream and cause serious illness. It is still uncommon, but it's important parents are on the lookout for symptoms.
"But the NHS is well prepared to deal with situations like this, working with the UK Health Security Agency."
He said any parents who are concerned should contact the NHS.
Asked if there was a shortage of the drug used to treat the infection, the spokesman added: "It's important to reassure parents that there is no current shortage as far as we're aware. We have well established procedures to deal with any potentials for medicines shortages and to prevent them as we saw during the pandemic."
Strep A infections are usually mild and can be easily treated with antibiotics. Illnesses caused by the Group A strep bacteria include the skin infection impetigo, scarlet fever and strep throat.
There has been a big leap in the number of scarlet fever cases. There were 851 cases reported in the week November 14 to 20, compared to an average of 186 for the same timeframe in previous years.