Parents urged to look for signs of Strep A in children

So far this year, 55 cases of Strep A have been notified in Ireland, with 21 reported since early October, including four children under the age of 10.

The chief medical officer has urged parents to be extra vigilant after the death of a four-year-old child has been linked to a rare form of the bacterial infection Strep A.

The child's death was reported in the northeast/North Dublin region and health officials have confirmed they are investigating whether Strep A was a contributory factor, following a number of similar deaths in the UK.