Streptococcus A: 16 children infected in Spain, two of them die

ILLNESS Sixteen children have tested positive in Spain since October 19 and two have died

Two children have died in Spain after contracting a streptococcal A infection. Illustration. — Ddimitrova/Pixabay

Spain is also experiencing a worrying increase in streptococcal A infections. 12 years old, have been tested positive since October 19 and two of them died in the Madrid region, reports the Telecinco channel in an article relayed by by L’L’L’L’Indépendant. antibiotic treatment.

Several deaths in France

The French health authorities have alerted this Tuesday on an unusual increase for fifteen days in infections with streptococci A, bacteria in particular with the origin of scarlet fever, reported AFP. Two children and an adult died in the hospital at cause of complications from these infections, according to the General Directorate of Health. (DGS). But the situation is probably not just about these only proven cases.

Caregivers are indeed reporting a “upsurge in serious forms and deaths (…) consecutive to the disease. an infection with streptococcus A in several children, for a few weeks”, warned the DGS.

A shortage of amoxicillin

The United Kingdom is also affected; with at least six child deaths attributed to infection with streptococci A.

This outbreak of bacterial infections also occurs in a context of shortage of the main antibiotic used; in children, amoxicillin. Several organizations of doctors – infectiologists and pediatricians – have warned that this shortage could cause a serious health crisis. public in children.