The number of children who have died from invasive Strep A illness in the UK has risen to 15, health officials have confirmed.

The Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has recorded 13 fatalities linked to the bacterial infection in England, while one child has died in Northern Ireland and another in Wales.

Group A strep bacteria can cause many different infections, ranging from minor illnesses to deadly diseases.

Emily Atkinson reports:

Health Secretary Humza Yousaf said on Thursday there was no shortage of the drugs needed to treat the illness and was also clear that the number of cases of the infection being seen in Scotland is “not unusual”.

More in this report:

At least 15 children have died with an invasive form of the bacteria in recent weeks, while cases of scarlet fever, which is caused by Strep A infection, have skyrocketed.

Concern has been raised as cases are higher than usual for the time of year. The latest data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), released on Thursday 8 December, showed the rise in cases had accelerated in the last fortnight.

Infections have been found across the country, with large concentrations of Strep A in southeast England, along with the northeast and northwest, reports my colleague Liam James:

At least 15 children have now died from Strep A-related infections in the current outbreak.

Group A strep bacteria can cause many different illnesses, including scarlet fever, the skin infection impetigo, and strep throat.

While the vast majority of infections are relatively mild, sometimes the bacteria cause a life-threatening illness called invasive Group A Streptococcal disease (iGAS). Cases of iGAS are higher than usual this year, reports my colleague Liam James:

Strep A has now been linked to the deaths of at least 15 children in the UK as A&E doctors warn emergency departments have seen a doubling in young patients in emergency departments over the last week.

The infection has hit the NHS during its busiest period time, with pharmacies struggling with localised shortages of antibiotics – leaving parents struggling to find medicine for their sick children.

NHS trust directors and doctors have warned of A&Es overflowing with children attending with winter viruses such as flu, RSV and now Strep A.

Read the details in this report from our health correspondent Rebecca Thomas:

Welcome to The Independent’s health blog for Friday, 9 December 2022, where we provide the latest on Strep A outbreak across the UK.