The investigation into Strep A began with the death of an 8-year-old girl days before Christmas

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Police are investigating the sudden unexplained death of an eight-year-old girl in Ceredigion.

The little girl from Mays Deri, Lampeter, died on the evening of Thursday, December 22nd, and a 33-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of child neglect on Friday, December 23rd, and has since been released under investigation. Dyfed-Powys Police confirmed that investigations are continuing.

Public Health Wales is investigating links to invasive Strep A and is working with Ceredigion Council and Hywel Dda University Health Board following the death of a child.

Public Health Wales urges parents to be aware of the signs and symptoms of Strep A, which include a high temperature of 38C or higher. Credit: PA

Dr Graham Brown, Consultant Infectious Disease Control for Public Health Wales, said: “Public Health Wales is working with Hywell DDA University Health Council and Ceredigion Council following the death of a child in Lampeter. We offer our deepest condolences to the family, friends and all affected. Public Health Wales cannot comment on cases. individuality.

“We are investigating links to invasive group A streptococcal disease (iGAS), which is a very rare complication of group A streptococcal infection. While we understand that parents are likely to be concerned, cases of iGAS remain rare in Wales, and children have a very low risk of infection. sick.”

An invasive Strep A infection occurs when the Strep A bacteria overruns the defenses of an infected person — often when that person has sores or cracks in the skin, or when they are immunocompromised (often due to illness). On 20 September, Public Health Wales indicated that it had been notified of fewer than five deaths among children under 15 years of age who had iGAS detected since 1 September 2022.

The next update is due later today (December 28th). As of December 22, the UK’s Health Security Agency said 24 children had died of Strep A in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Symptoms of an invasive Strep A infection are:

If your child shows any symptoms of an invasive strep A infection, you should contact your doctor immediately. In addition, if your child has a fever, nausea, vomiting, or a fine, sandpaper-like red-pink rash, this could be a symptom of scarlet fever—another complication of Strep A infection—and you should also contact your doctor. More information about Strep A is available on the Public Health Wales website.

The death of the child in Lampeter follows other cases linked to streptococcus A, including that of Hanna Roab, a pupil from Penarth who died just 24 hours after contracting the disease, and a child in Powys whose death was confirmed on December 14 and is still in progress. . A Strep AA spokesperson was investigated by Ceredigion Council and said: “Our thoughts are with the family and we support them in every way we can. The council cannot comment further due to ongoing investigations by the police.”

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