Primary school pupil in Hampshire becomes latest victim of growing outbreak.
The unidentified child, of Hampshire, succumbed to a life-threatening complication of the usually-harmless bug as the killer bug continues to sweep Britain.
Health chiefs did not confirm any details about the child but local media states they attended Morelands Primary School in Waterlooville.
The sad news come amid warnings that the UK is running low on antibiotics. Three medications routinely used to fight off the bug — or tell-tale symptoms which might be caused by other bacterial infections — are listed as being in short supply.
Pharmacists said the ongoing shortages, which could rumble on until into 2023, were ‘heartbreaking’. Parents scrambling to find drugs are being turned away due to a lack of supplies, they claimed.
It comes as GPs were told to be ready to dish out antibiotics to youngsters showing even the slightest Strep A symptoms as part of a drive to spot the bug early — when it’s most treatable.
Cases of serious strep A infection are 5 times higher than pre-pandemic average.
