Norwich pupil hospitalised with Strep A amid mask warning

However, amid reports that 19 cases of scarlet fever have been reported at a single city school, a professor at the University of East Anglia (UEA) has urged authorities not to roll out the use of face masks in a bid to quash the bug. 

Streptococcus A - or Strep A - is a bacterial infection of the throat or skin which can sometimes cause scarlet fever.

Across the country, 16 children have died of Strep A this year.

Costessey Primary School in Three Mile Lane told parents there would be no mixing between year groups on breaks and lunchtimes because of rising cases.

It comes as there were 19 positive cases of scarlet fever among its pupils with one child in hospital because of Strep A. 

The school added other Christmas celebrations, such as the nativity and music concert, have been cancelled.

Measures including year group bubbles and cancelling after-school clubs were also put in with immediate effect.

Principal Katie Lawson explained that the volume of cases of Strep A and scarlet fever varies across year groups.

Katie Lawson, principal of Costessey Primary School (Image: Costessey Primary School)

Mrs Lawson said: "Our first priority is always the safety of our staff, children and community.

"We have had 19 positive cases of scarlet fever and one hospitalised case of Strep A within the last week.

"We regularly consult Public Health England and are following all Department for Education guidelines.

"We do have some year groups with very few cases and some with higher cases, so wherever possible, we are trying our best to be sensible in how we manage the school and make decisions.

"These restrictions will not affect the quality of education we can provide and children will see very little change in their school day."

UEA's Professor Hunter explained that cases of scarlet fever follow flu surges, which means it is "not surprising" that scarlet fever cases have increased in recent weeks.

This is because flu damages the lining of the airways and allows the strep - which is either already there or newly acquired - to take hold.

Yet Professor Hunter said there is "no evidence" that mask-wearing or other precautions used during the coronavirus pandemic - such as distancing and separating year groups in schools - will reduce the risk of Strep A and scarlet fever or its spread.

Paul Hunter, professor in medicine a Norwich Medical School, UEA (Image: UEA)

It comes after Dr Stephen Griffin, of the University of Leeds, claimed they would have a "tremendous" impact. 

However Professor Hunter explained: "I am nervous about children wearing masks for Strep A.

"There is no hard evidence on the benefits of masks for scarlet fever outbreaks.

"But I can certainly see potential harms of masks themselves becoming the root of which the bacteria spread - either by masks being left around or by children messing with damp masks after they have breathed on them.

"Then the strep can get on pupils' hands which they can then spread on by touch to other children.

"The risk to an individual child is really quite small but over the last few weeks it probably has caused more deaths of children over a similar period than Covid ever did.

"It is very concerning.

"During outbreaks of scarlet fever the guidance doesn't recommend masking or isolation.

"Some of the control measures put forward are problematic and have unintended negative consequences."

Professor Hunter stressed that the best ways to protect children from Strep A and scarlet fever are to get vaccinated - if offered - and be conscious of general hygiene, particularly hands.

He added: "Because we haven't been mixing as much post-Covid - particularly kids in their formative years - scarlet fever is more prevalent.

"That's what's driving flu. We expected flu to be bad last year but it's skipped a year.

"When there's a big gap, we see more cases and more severe disease - with more evidence that we're seeing more hospitalisations per infection occurring than we would normally expect to see."