'Unusual surge' in potentially fatal Strep A, says HPSC 

There have been 12 deaths among children and 18 among adults since October 2022 linked to Group A Streptococcus disease.

Cases of potentially fatal invasive Group A Streptococcus (iGAS) disease are 4.5 times higher than expected this year with young children particularly affected, the Health Protection Surveillance Centre said.

This unusual surge may be linked to ongoing impacts from pandemic disruption to normal disease patterns and is being seen across Europe, the HPSC said.