The number of children under 15 who have died from invasive Strep A illness in the UK has risen to 15, health officials have confirmed.
Most recent figures from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) catalogue 13 fatalities relating to the bacterial infection in England. Meanwhile, one child has died in Northern Ireland and a second in Wales.
Group A strep bacteria can cause many different infections, ranging from minor illnesses to deadly diseases.
It comes as NHS England has sent a warning to healthcare leaders over the increased demand driven by Strep A concerns on Thursday.
Experts have warned the NHS is “bursting at the seems” with staff demoralised at the standards of care.
Patients across England have faced record A&E delays as NHS performance against emergency targets slumps to a new low, new data shows.
Chris Hopson, who is chief strategy officer at NHS England, said the NHS is under “significant pressure”.
Illnesses caused by Strep A include the skin infection impetigo, scarlet fever and strep throat.
