Parents and carers across the country are becoming increasingly worried about the latest Step A outbreak.

As a result, many are taking children to hospitals to have their symptoms and health checked.

New data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) shows 13 children under 15 have died in England since September.

Two other deaths of children have been recorded in Belfast and Wales, taking the UK total to 15.

The UKHSA has said there is no current evidence that a new strain is circulating and the rise in cases is most likely due to high amounts of circulating bacteria and increased social mixing.

Since September, the UKHSA said there have been 652 reports of invasive Strep disease, higher than at the same points over the last five years.

A spokesperson from Frimley Health NHS Foundation said: "There has been an increase in the number of children attending hospital emergency departments nationally in relation to scarlet fever, and that pattern has also been reflected locally within Frimley Health and Care.

"Emergency departments are already extremely busy and parents and carers who are concerned about their child’s health are being urged to check our local online resource before travelling.

"Frimley Healthier Together has advice about scarlet fever and Strep A, with information on the bacterial infection, including images of the rash, and a ‘traffic light’ guide of what to look out for and what help to seek in specific situations."

Dr Alexandra Streeter de Diego, a GP, paediatric doctor and the clinical lead for Frimley Healthier Together, said: “We understand that parents will be anxious if their child becomes unwell, and that’s why we’ve tried to make the information available as straightforward and easy-to-use as possible.

“It should be stressed that at this time of year we do see an increase in infections in children and in most cases they are illnesses that can be successfully treated at home. That’s why we’re advising parents to use Frimley Healthier Together to check their child’s symptoms.”

The NHS have outlined that most strep A infections are not serious and can be treated with antibiotics.

But rarely, the infection can cause serious problems. This is called invasive group A strep (iGAS).

When to attend A&E

  • your child is having difficulty breathing – they may make grunting noises, or you may notice their tummy sucking under their ribs
  • there are pauses when your child breathes
  • your child’s skin, tongue or lips are blue or grey – on black or brown skin this may be easier to see on the palms of the hands or soles of the feet
  • your child is floppy and will not wake up or stay awake

For more information visit the NHS website or Frimley Health.