Irish Government not contemplating ‘Covid-type’ measures for Strep A
Tanaiste Leo Varadkar urged parents to keep children who are unwell at home.
Your support helps us to tell the story
This election is still a dead heat, according to most polls. In a fight with such wafer-thin margins, we need reporters on the ground talking to the people Trump and Harris are courting. Your support allows us to keep sending journalists to the story.
The Independent is trusted by 27 million Americans from across the entire political spectrum every month. Unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock you out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. But quality journalism must still be paid for.
Help us keep bring these critical stories to light. Your support makes all the difference.
The Irish Government is not contemplating any Covid-type measures for Strep A, the Tanaiste has said.
Leo Varadkar said the Government was “very concerned” over the invasive form of the bacterial infection that has been linked to the death of a four-year-old child in Ireland.
He urged parents to keep children who are unwell at home.
The Government is very concerned about Strep A. It's a bacteria illness that's been around for some time but there has been a number of cases and unfortunately, sadly, at least one fatality in recent times
He also said the State had not been informed of any shortage of oral or IV penicillin “at this stage”, adding “we’re aware what’s been signalled in the UK”.
The Health Service Executive (HSE) confirmed on Wednesday that invasive Group A Streptococcal infection was found to be the cause of the infection associated with the death of the four-year old child in the north east area of the country.
“The Government is very concerned about Strep A,” Mr Varadkar said.
“It’s a bacteria illness that’s been around for some time but there has been a number of cases and unfortunately, sadly, at least one fatality in recent times.”
He said the State had not been informed of any shortage of oral or IV penicillin “at this stage”, adding “we’re aware what’s been signalled in the UK”.
“It is a treatable illness but very important that we heed the advice of the CMO,” he said.
“If your child has a high temperature, sore throat, cough, keep them home, keep them under observation and contact GP if you feel their deteriorating.”
He added: “We’re not at the point where we’re contemplating any Covid-type measures, this is not a virus, it’s different. This is a bacterial infection and the number of cases thankfully so far is relatively low.”
But he said people should remember some of the advice that applied during Covid and keep children at home if they are unwell.
Public health staff are supporting the family as well as the school the child who died of the infection had attended.
Health authorities have contacted schools and childcare providers with information on Strep A infections, including scarlet fever and other winter viruses.
Chief Medical Officer Breda Smyth and health authorities have stressed that while it is a worrying time for parents, most children who get ill from a Strep A infection will have a mild illness which can be treated with antibiotics.
The advice stresses that if a child is seriously unwell, particularly if they are getting worse, professional medical advice should be sought.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.