A 12-year-old boy became the first high school student to die from strep A in the current wave we are seeing in the UK.
The eight-year-old was a pupil at Colfe School, a private institution in Lewisham, south-east London. It is understood another child from the same school is currently in hospital.
Speaking to The Sun, Richard Russell, the school’s headmaster, described the pupil’s death as a major shock.
In a letter to parents, the principal reassured families that the risk from Strep A to their children was low.
“Blood tests revealed that the student has septicemia (blood poisoning) due to group A streptococcus (GAS), which led to infection with group A streptococcus disease (IGAS).
“Gas bacteria are very common and usually cause mild illnesses like scarlet fever, which can be treated with antibiotics.
"However, in very rare cases it can be complicated by another infection and enter the bloodstream - become aggressive and cause septicemia."
Six children have died of strep A since September, the UK Health Protection Agency (UKHSA) reported this week.
Five of the dead were from England, one girl died in Wales and no deaths have been confirmed in Scotland or Northern Ireland.
During the last high infection rate in 2017-2018, there were four deaths of children under the age of ten in England, compared to five in the same period this year.
UKHSA said the increase could be linked to increased social activity and more errors after the lockdown was lifted but the investigation was still ongoing
Virologist Dr Chris Smith said the rise in strep A infections could be due to immune deficiencies caused by the lockdown and told BBC Breakfast there was something about the vulnerability of the population, particularly young people.
“What has changed is that young people have gone through almost three years of relative isolation from each other.
"They didn't get the natural infection at the normal rate and the normal time that normal kids in that kind of age group would have."
Paediatrician Professor Beat Kampman, an infectious disease specialist, said parents should seek medical help if they are concerned, and children with fever should be kept away from school.
"The good news is that group A strep is very, very treatable with penicillin," she said.
However, he added that if your child is deteriorating in any way, you feel he is not eating or drinking, is completely flat and lethargic, then you should take him to the doctor and get him checked out if required.
The father of a four-year-old girl said he was hoping and praying for a miracle after she was put on a ventilator following a strep A infection.
The 4-year-old girl felt sick after the bug exploded at her school on Saturday and had to go to the hospital on Monday, he said.
"It's not the same girl anymore. It's heartbreaking," the father said, adding that any parents with concerns about their children's health should be "collected" for testing.
UKHSA has advised people if their child has difficulty breathing if the child has an obstruction when breathing if their skin, tongue or lips are blue and if the child has trouble staying awake or waking up If you have trouble, go to the hospital. . . . .
UKHSA deputy director Dr Colin Brown said: “It is important that parents are mindful of symptoms – and see a doctor as soon as possible so we can prevent the infection from becoming serious.
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