Newcastle primary school issues warning to parents and carers after pupil contracts scarlet fever

A primary school in Newcastle has issued a warning after a pupil contracted scarlet fever.

Lemington Riverside Primary School in Lemington has informed parents and carers that a student has the contagious infection. In a letter, sent out on Tuesday, says: "We have been notified that a child in school has scarlet fever."

The school, located on Rokeby Street, has provided NHS advice on scarlet fever, which mostly affects young children and can be treated by antibiotics.

Read more: How does Strep A bacteria spread, what infections can it cause and how does it become invasive?

The first signs of the infection can be flu-like symptoms, including a high temperature, a sore throat and swollen neck glands. This is followed 12 to 48 hours later by a rash.

Lemington Riverside Primary School is operated by Newcastle City Council. A spokesperson for the local authority said: "As we would expect at this time of year, Scarlet Fever is circulating within the community.

The school is located on Rokeby Street in Lemington (Newcastle Chronicle)

"Our schools, parents and carers have been given the appropriate health advice and we are liaising with the appropriate authorities to monitor the situation. We are not able to comment on individual cases."

Chronicle Live reported earlier this week how parents had been warned to look out for the symptoms of Strep A amid a recent rise in cases which has led to the death of at least six children.

Strep A is a group of bacteria that can cause a range of infections including impetigo, scarlet fever and strep throat.

Although Strep A infections are usually mild and can be treated with antibiotics, in rare cases the bacteria can make its way into the bloodstream and become a more dangerous threat to a person's health.

Read more:

• What is Strep A and what should you do if you think your child has it

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