Ninety-four people in the UK have died in the past four months after contracting the Strep A infection, figures show.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSCA) said that nearly half of the deaths were among people aged 75 and over.
Some 17 per cent were among children aged 10 and under, the government body added.
Strep A is a common type of bacteria found usually found in the throat and on the skin.
Most infections are mild and easily treated but some can cause more serious conditions such as scarlet fever and invasive group A streptococcal infection (iGAS), which can be fatal.
The figures come following a series of recent deaths of children after a spike in infections.
Health officials say that the symptoms to look out for in your child include a sore throat, headache and fever, along with a fine, pinkish or red body rash with a sandpapery feel.
On darker skin, the rash can be more difficult to detect visually but will still have a sandpapery feel.
Officials believe the rise in cases of Strep A is due to lower immunity and more social mixing among children coming out of the Covid pandemic.
Cases of scarlet fever have also spiked as a result of the increasing Strep A infections.
The UKSCA said that, in the past two weeks, there has been a “steep inctease” in cases of scarlet fever, which most affects young children.
Weekly numbers of scarlet fever notifications to GP this season have been higher than any previously recorded.
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