Father's agony as daughter fights for life from Strep A as Downing Street warns parents to look out for symptoms
5 December 2022, 08:36 | Updated: 5 December 2022, 15:09
A father has told of his agony as his 'precious' and 'beautiful' daughter fights for life in hospital after contracting Strep A - as the infection claims its seventh child victim.
Four-year-old Camila Rose Burns is on a ventilator at Alder Hey Children's Hospital, Liverpool, after contracting the infection.
Speaking from outside the hospital, her father, Dean Burns, said: "She is still fighting for her life. It has devastated her body."
Mr Burns added: 'We cannot believe it has happened. The pain is unimaginable. She is so beautiful, so precious and just our special little girl. We just want out family back'.
Camilla was admitted to hospital 24 hours after she was sent away from A&E with an inhaler, with doctors blaming vomiting for her chest pain.
Downing St tells parents to look out for symptoms of Strep A while reassuring parents that it was “uncommon”.
A spokesman said: “I really understand that parents will be concerned by these reports.
“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 UK Health Security Agency.”
The warning comes as a 12-year-old boy, who attended a school in London, became the latest child to die of the infection, as the total deaths linked to Strep A reached seven.
The year 8 pupil from Colfe's School, Lewisham, is thought to be the first secondary school student to die from the infection.
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Strep A – also known as Group A streptococcus (GAS) – is a type of bacterium commonly found in the throat and nose, as well as on the skin.
The bacterium is usually symptomless, however, the sudden surge in serious cases is being blamed on children's’ lack of immunity following Covid-19 lockdown measures.
It follows warnings issued by health chiefs from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) on Friday, following the news severe cases of Strep A and scarlet fever were nearly five times higher among children than pre-pandemic.
The latest Strep A death follows that of four-year-old Muhammad Ibrahim Ali, from High Wycombe, and a six-year-old child, believed to be a girl, who attended Ashford Church of England Primary School in Surrey.
It follows comments from Mr Burns over the weekend in which he said his family was "hoping and praying for a miracle".
Camila Rose Burns remains on a ventilator at Alder Hey Children's Hospital in Liverpool after being placed in intensive care on Monday.
A GoFundMe campaign, which was set up to aid the family, has now reached £13,684 and continues to rise.
Concerned parents have been urged to contact NHS 111 or their GP if their child presents with worsening symptoms, begin eating less, or showing signs of dehydration.
The UKHSA has advised those presenting with symptoms to refrain from attending nursery, school or work for at least 24 hours after they begin antibiotic treatment.
The Times reported yesterday that doctors had also been urged to set a 'low threshold' where prescribing antibiotics was concerned, advising symptomatic children are sent to hospital earlier.
It follows comments from Tory party chairman, Nadhim Zahawi, stating that although most cases of Strep A were mild, parents should still be aware of the symptoms.
“It is really important to be vigilant because in the very rare circumstance that it becomes serious then it needs urgent treatment,’ he told Sky News.
“It is highly infectious, which is why the important message to get across is parents should look out for the symptoms – so fever, headache, skin rash.”
