How big is the problem in Greater Manchester and what should we expect over the coming days?
Sixteen children have now died in the UK from invasive Strep A illness, as alarm bells sound over the NHS’ capacity to deal with the rise in serious winter illnesses. This is everything we know so far about Strep A in Greater Manchester - and what to expect over the coming week - from the region’s leading health experts.
"Fortunately, this is still very rare. Lots of us carry it in our throats and on our skin and it doesn’t always result in illness. While the vast majority of infections are relatively mild, sometimes the bacteria cause a life-threatening illness called invasive Group A Streptococcal disease. Known as iGAS, these infections are caused by the bacteria getting into parts of the body where it is not normally found, such as the lungs or bloodstream. In rare cases an iGAS infection can be fatal.
Oldham has seen three identified cases; Manchester and Tameside two; and Rochdale, Tameside and Wigan one apiece in the period analysed since mid-August. The Department of Education and the UKHSA would look at risks within the community and then at actions to be taken on a national level. “At this stage in this particular situation, we’ve got no evidence that any decisions will be taken by the Department for Education in the lead up to Christmas,” explained David.
Greater Manchester’s health service is sending patients to other hospitals when some wards are full with patients, and moving ill children around where needed to meet demand and their treatment requirements.
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