Another child has died after contracting Strep A, the 16th fatality during a recent spike in cases.
Parents across the country are being warned to be on the lookout for symptoms after a rise in serious illnesses linked to the virus.
The teenager has not been named but attended the Hove Park School in Brighton.
The child was 12 and taken to the Royal Alexandra Children’s Hospital after falling ill, The Argus reported.
Brighton and Hove City Council and the UK Health Security Agency confirmed the death in a statement to the broadcaster.
Dr Rachael Hornigold, consultant in health protection at UKHSA South East, said: ‘We are extremely saddened to hear about the death of a young child, and our thoughts are with their family, friends and the local community.’
Alistair Hill, director of Public Health at Brighton & Hove City Council said: ‘We are working with the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and Hove Park School following the death of a pupil who attended the school.
‘We offer our heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, and the whole school community who will all be deeply affected by the very tragic loss of this young child, and we are providing our support to them at this incredibly sad time.
‘While we cannot comment on individual cases, we ask that the privacy of the family is respected.’
He added that extra information is being passed to the parents of children at the school about spotting the signs as a ‘precaution’.
Group A bacteria can cause many different infections, ranging from minor illnesses to deadly diseases.
It can lead to illnesses such as the skin infection impetigo, scarlet fever and a sore throat.
The vast majority of infections are relatively mild, sometimes the bacteria cause a life-threatening illness called invasive Group A Strep disease.
Scientists say there is no evidence a new strain is circulating despite rising numbers.
It’s believed the spike in cases is due to lower immunity among young people because of lockdowns and increased social mixing this winter.
