THE dad of a four-year-old girl who is fighting for her life after contracting Strep A has told of his pain after six other kids died with the infection.
Young Camila Rose Burns has been on a ventilator since Monday – with her dad Dean now "praying for a miracle".
The group A Strep infection has been sweeping across Britain, with more than 800 cases of scarlet fever recorded.
It is only an invasive form of the bacteria, which is rare, that can lead to serious illness.
Five of the six who have died are under 10 years old, the UK Health Security Agency have said.
They died within seven days of being diagnosed with the disease – a rare, but severe illness caused by bacteria.
Dean told Sky News that he's been "living in a absolute nightmare" since Camilla got sick.
He said: "When we got [to the hospital] on Monday, they said she's the poorliest girl in the whole of England.
"To go from dancing on Friday night with her friends, to a little bit under the weather on Saturday and then a bit more bad on Sunday, she's basically not the same girl any more. It's heartbreaking."
Dean, who lives in Bolton, Greater Manchester, says she began to complain about her chest after a bug went around her school.
He and his wife Kaye, 39, brought her to hospital where doctors sent her home with an inhaler – but just a day later they were forced to rush her back to A&E.
She has been unresponsive in Liverpool's Alder Hey Children's Hospital in the critical care unit since Sunday.
Dean said: "She's fighting for her life, and I've told her how much I love her, her mum loves, her sister loves her, we all love her.
"Everyone's saying prayers for her, hoping for a miracle she lives.
"She needs to live, she's such a special little girl. I can still hear her singing… it's too much."
Group A Streptococcus (GAS) – is also known as Streptococcus pyogenes – and is a bacteria that can cause mild illnesses like sore throats and skin infections, including tonsillitis cellulitis, impetigo and scarlet fever.
In rare cases, the bacteria can trigger the life-threatening illness, invasive group A Strep disease.
Guidance from the NHS states that there are four key signs of invasive disease:
Invasive disease happens when the bacteria break through the body's immune defences.
It can happen if you're already ill or have a weakened immune system.
Two of the most severe examples of invasive disease are necrotising fasciitis and toxic shock syndrome.
You're at increased risk of Group Strep A invasive disease if you:
Group Strep A bacteria can also cause scarlet fever, which can be serious if it's not treated with antibiotics.
Dean, who described the pain his family is feeling as "the worst in the world", is now urging parents to look out for the signs and act quickly.
He said: "When I look back it still just seemed like a sickness bug, she was really lethargic at times, but her health was improving until she completely changed.
"No family should be going through what we're going through.
"We just got the Christmas tree out, the naughty elf, the advent calendars with all our names on.
"It's just wrong. I don't know what's going to happen to her, whatever does, she's our little girl, will always be our little girl."
Symptoms of scarlet fever include a sore throat, headache and fever, along with a fine, pinkish or red body rash with a sandpapery feel.
On darker skin the rash can be more difficult to detect visually, but will feel the same.
A UKHSA spokesman urged parents to call NHS 111 or their GP if they suspect scarlet fever, because early treatment with antibiotics can reduce the risk of complications, including pneumonia.
They added: "If your child has scarlet fever, keep them at home until at least 24 hours after the start of antibiotic treatment to avoid spreading the infection to others."
Families can slash the risk of spreading the bug by keeping their hands clean and throwing away used tissues.
So far, six children have died within seven days of being diagnosed with invasive group A Strep.
The first victim was just six years old, and died last week in Surrey.
Within days, three further deaths were recorded in West London, Wales and Buckinghamshire.
Four-year-old Muhammad Ibrahim Ali later died at his home, according to his devastated family.
Another child who passed away with the infection was little Hanna Roap in Wales.
And a school pupil in North London is in hospital with an unconfirmed illness.
Experts say a lack of socialising in kids during Covid lockdowns may have caused a drop in population-wide immunity that could increase transmission, particularly in school-age children.
The UKHSA says it is vital that parents trust their instincts, and seek help if their child seems seriously unwell.
You should contact NHS 111 if or your GP if:
Call 999 or go to A&E if:
Elle Edwards was gunned down after 'gangster was tipped off about rival at pub'
Brit mum knifed to death in 'senseless' burglary killing as teens charged
Peter Andre sparks baby rumours with wife Emily after fans spot Christmas clue
ITV's Laura Woods knocks back Love Island star with classy reply to date request
©News Group Newspapers Limited in England No. 679215 Registered office: 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF. “The Sun”, “Sun”, “Sun Online” are registered trademarks or trade names of News Group Newspapers Limited. This service is provided on News Group Newspapers’ Limited’s Standard Terms and Conditions in accordance with our Privacy & Cookie Policy. To inquire about a licence to reproduce material, visit our Syndication site. View our online Press Pack. For other inquiries, Contact Us. To see all content on The Sun, please use the Site Map. The Sun website is regulated by the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO)
Our journalists strive for accuracy but on occasion we make mistakes. For further details of our complaints policy and to make a complaint please click this link: thesun.co.uk/editorial-complaints/
