‘Very serious’ outbreak of strep A in Essex leaves 12 dead

It has emerged that twelve people in Essex have died following an outbreak of the invasive Group A streptococcal (iGAS) infection.

Public Health England have since issued a warning that the ‘ongoing outbreak’ carried a ‘high risk’ of further fatalities.

The cases, most of whom the Mid Essex CCG report said were “elderly and had been receiving care for chronic wounds in the community and care homes” began in Braintree, with further cases being found around Maldon and Chelmsford.

Deputy director of health protection for PHE East of England Dr Jorg Hoffman, said “This is still an ongoing outbreak. Unfortunately we have so far not been able to fully contain the situation.

“Obviously we are hoping that the efforts of our colleagues in the NHS and provider organisations are now bearing some fruit and we will be able to contain the situation and prevent further cases from happening.

“I cannot deny that there is still an ongoing risk until we can declare that this outbreak is over.”

Director of nursing and quality at Mid Essex CCG, Rachel Hearn, said “The NHS in Essex is working closely with Public Health England and other partners to manage this local incident, and extra infection control measures have been put in place.

“The risk of contracting iGAS is very low for the vast majority of people and treatment with antibiotics is very effective, if started early.”

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Posted by Karen Motley, Clinical Negligence Department, Chadwick Lawrence LLP (tonymay@chadlaw.co.uk ), medical negligence lawyers and clinical negligence solicitors in Huddersfield, Leeds, Wakefield and Halifax, West Yorkshire.

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