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| Child died from 'rare infection' | Child died from 'rare infection' |
| (3 days later) | |
| A 12-year-old girl has died from a rare skin and respiratory infection caused by bacteria common in many people. | A 12-year-old girl has died from a rare skin and respiratory infection caused by bacteria common in many people. |
| The unnamed girl from Cilfrew near Neath died on Tuesday. She was called "delightful" and "hardworking" by the head of Llangatwg Comprehensive School. | The unnamed girl from Cilfrew near Neath died on Tuesday. She was called "delightful" and "hardworking" by the head of Llangatwg Comprehensive School. |
| The National Public Health Service for Wales said it was "rare" for invasive Group A Streptococcus to cause life-threatening diseases. | The National Public Health Service for Wales said it was "rare" for invasive Group A Streptococcus to cause life-threatening diseases. |
| At present it does not believe there is a risk to other pupils. | At present it does not believe there is a risk to other pupils. |
| The girl who died was in year seven, and had been at the school for only a term after moving from primary school. | |
| Dr Jörg Hoffmann, consultant in communicable disease control, said: "We suspect that this child's death was caused by an infection with invasive Group A Streptococcus (iGAS), a bacteria that many people carry and which can, on rare occasions, cause life-threatening diseases. | Dr Jörg Hoffmann, consultant in communicable disease control, said: "We suspect that this child's death was caused by an infection with invasive Group A Streptococcus (iGAS), a bacteria that many people carry and which can, on rare occasions, cause life-threatening diseases. |
| The whole school community has been shocked and saddened by the sudden death Roger Skilton, head teacher | The whole school community has been shocked and saddened by the sudden death Roger Skilton, head teacher |
| No more than a handful of cases are normally reported in Wales in the winter months. There are no figures available for how many deaths are caused each year. | No more than a handful of cases are normally reported in Wales in the winter months. There are no figures available for how many deaths are caused each year. |
| Dr Hoffman added: "It is very rare for healthy people to catch iGAS from someone else with the same condition, and we will treat close contacts with antibiotics only if they are displaying symptoms. | Dr Hoffman added: "It is very rare for healthy people to catch iGAS from someone else with the same condition, and we will treat close contacts with antibiotics only if they are displaying symptoms. |
| "At present our investigations show that there is no risk to other children attending the same school, or to the wider community. | "At present our investigations show that there is no risk to other children attending the same school, or to the wider community. |
| "We are continuing to investigate this case and parents of children in the same school will be kept informed." | "We are continuing to investigate this case and parents of children in the same school will be kept informed." |
| Roger Skilton, head teacher at Llangatwg, said letters had been sent to the parents of other pupils. | Roger Skilton, head teacher at Llangatwg, said letters had been sent to the parents of other pupils. |
| WHAT IS GAS? GAS is a bacterium that is commonly found on the skin or upper respiratory tract where it can live without causing infectionInfection most commonly appears as a mild sore throat or skin infection It can also cause more serious infections such as bacteraemia (a blood infection), necrotising fasciitis (a severe infection affecting the skin), streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (leading to multi-organ failure) and scarlet feverWith a rash, it appears within two days of illness, usually first on the neck and chest, and then spreads. It is "sandpapery" in quality and can last for over a week before peeling. A swollen tongue may also resultThere were 51 reported cases of GAS in Wales in 2007More information via NHS DirectSource: National Public Health Service for Wales | WHAT IS GAS? GAS is a bacterium that is commonly found on the skin or upper respiratory tract where it can live without causing infectionInfection most commonly appears as a mild sore throat or skin infection It can also cause more serious infections such as bacteraemia (a blood infection), necrotising fasciitis (a severe infection affecting the skin), streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (leading to multi-organ failure) and scarlet feverWith a rash, it appears within two days of illness, usually first on the neck and chest, and then spreads. It is "sandpapery" in quality and can last for over a week before peeling. A swollen tongue may also resultThere were 51 reported cases of GAS in Wales in 2007More information via NHS DirectSource: National Public Health Service for Wales |
| "The whole school community has been shocked and saddened by the sudden death of a Year 7 pupil," he said. | "The whole school community has been shocked and saddened by the sudden death of a Year 7 pupil," he said. |
| "She was a delightful young lady. | "She was a delightful young lady. |
| "She had only joined the school last September but had already shown herself to be a hardworking pupil with a very caring and considerate nature. | "She had only joined the school last September but had already shown herself to be a hardworking pupil with a very caring and considerate nature. |
| "She will greatly be missed by her many friends and all her teachers. | "She will greatly be missed by her many friends and all her teachers. |
| "Our heartfelt sympathies go out to her parents and family who will be devastated by their loss. | "Our heartfelt sympathies go out to her parents and family who will be devastated by their loss. |
| "I would ask for the privacy on the family, pupils and staff at the school to be respected during this very difficult time." | "I would ask for the privacy on the family, pupils and staff at the school to be respected during this very difficult time." |
| Ceinwen Williams, head teacher of Cilfrew Primary School where the girl had previously attended, said: "She has left the sweetest memories behind. | Ceinwen Williams, head teacher of Cilfrew Primary School where the girl had previously attended, said: "She has left the sweetest memories behind. |
| "She was the most beautiful and talented child in sport and drama. | "She was the most beautiful and talented child in sport and drama. |
| "She was hardworking, diligent, warm-hearted, caring and wonderful with the younger children in the school." | "She was hardworking, diligent, warm-hearted, caring and wonderful with the younger children in the school." |