Parents have been issued some urgent advice after a case of a highly-contagious and potentially deadly disease was confirmed at UK primary school.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has announced that one person has tested positive for Diphtheria at Wigmore Primary School based in Luton.
The symptoms of the Victorian-era disease have since been confirmed by health officials.
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According to the NHS, Diphtheria is a 'highly contagious infection that affects the nose and throat, and sometimes the skin'.
"It's rare in the UK, but there's a small risk of catching it if you travel to some parts of the world," the website explains. "Diphtheria can be a serious illness and sometimes fatal, especially in children, if it’s not treated quickly."
Health officials has reportedly since taken action and the individual affected 'has been on treatment and is recovering well' with advice now being given to prevent the spread of the infection.
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However, the UKHSA has highlighted the risk of transmission is low.
The Sun reports that the UKHSA is now 'working closely' with local and national partners to ensure all necessary public health measures are implemented after conducting a 'risk assessment' with close contacts of the case also being identified.
The outlet reports: "In a letter to parents seen by The Sun, Wigmore Primary School confirmed the Diphtheria case.
"They said that the individual 'has been on treatment and is recovering well'.
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"The school maintained that risk to children was 'low' but they were sending out the information as a precaution."
Additionally, the school also advised anyone who believed they or someone they knew had the infection to 'seek urgent medical attention'.
The UKHSA reactive media statement reads: "Specialists from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) East of England have provided public health support following a case of diphtheria at a primary school in Luton.
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"UKHSA is working closely with local and national partners to ensure all necessary public health measures are implemented. "We have conducted a risk assessment and close contacts of the case have been identified and where appropriate, vaccination and advice will be given to prevent the spread of the infection. The risk of onward transmission and to the wider community is low."
Dr Sultan Salimee, Consultant in Communicable Disease Control at UKHSA East of England said: "Diphtheria is a contagious bacterial infection that mainly affects the nose and throat. Infections of diphtheria are rare in England because most people have been immunised against it.
"The individual concerned has been treated and is recovering well. The risk to the wider public is very low.
"If any close contacts are not fully vaccinated against diphtheria, their vaccinations should be boosted. Completing the course of vaccinations remains the most effective way for people to protect themselves against becoming ill with diphtheria."
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In other health news, there's a '100-day-cough' making its rounds at the moment.
According to the NHS, after suffering with the initial symptoms of the '100-day-cough' for around a week, your child will likely experience further coughing fits, which can last as long as a few minutes.
The NHS has also advised people to see their GP if they or their child have the symptoms of Whooping Cough.
These include:
- Getting coughing bouts that last for a few minutes and are worse at night
- Making a 'whoop' sound or a gasp for breath between coughs
- Having difficulty breathing after a coughing bout with infants turning blue or grey
- Coughs that can bring up a thick mucus which can make you vomit and becoming very red in the face.
The cough may also last for several weeks or months.
"Whooping cough can spread very easily. It's best to call the GP before you go in. They might suggest talking over the phone," the NHS official website explains.
"If you or your child are having significant breathing difficulties, fits, chest pain or signs of pneumonia call 999 or go to your nearest A&E."
While people do recover from the '100-day-cough', the NHS also advises getting plenty of rest, drinking lots of fluids, and taking paracetamol or ibuprofen to treat a fever.
For more information, you can visit the NHS website here.
Tyla has reached out to both Wigmore Primary School and the UK Health Security Agency for comment.
Rhiannon Ingle