There have been three cases of Step A identified in a large outbreak of Scarlet fever at Brynaman Primary School.

The school is reported to have seen 30 reported cases of scarlet fever over six weeks, with two children being admitted to hospital.

One pupil was taken to Cardiff’s University Hospital of Wales, although it is not known if it was due to invasive strep A.

On Tuesday Eluned Morgan, Weslsh Minister for Health and Social Services, issued a written starement on the increase in cases of Strep A bacterial infection in Wales.

Nine children in the UK have died with rare but severe bacterial strep A infections since September.

"We are seeing a higher number of cases of Strep A infection this year compared to recent years and we are also seeing it during the winter, when ordinarily we would expect to see large numbers of cases during the spring," she said.

"Investigations are ongoing, but we believe this is likely to have occurred because of the lack of social mixing over the past couple of years.

"The high number of cases of this common bacterial infection circulating at the same time as a range of winter respiratory infections has, we believe, resulted in increased numbers of the rarer and more serious invasive Strep A disease.

"Early signs of the more serious invasive Strep A disease include a high fever, severe muscle aches, local muscle tenderness, or redness at the site of a wound.

"Parents are advised to contact their GP or get medical advice straight away if they think their child has any of the signs and symptoms of invasive Strep A disease.

"All the relatively mild illnesses caused by the Strep A bacteria can be treated with common antibiotics."

Ms Morgan added that the increase in demand for antibiotics to treat suspected cases of Strep A has led to some pharmacies in Wales experiencing shortages of stock.

"We are working with the UK Government medicines supply team and other partners to make sure pharmacies in Wales have the supplies they need," she added.

"We are confident suppliers are working to address any supply issues, should people have difficulty in obtaining their prescription they may need to visit a different pharmacy or in some cases ask their GP to prescribe an alternative treatment."

Councillor Glynog Davies said five Carmarthenshire schools had scarlet fever cases, adding that head teachers were given a briefing on Monday and sent a letter from PHW outlining guidelines for schools.

He added that a letter had also been sent to parents and carers in Carmarthenshire, and that if they had concerns about a child's health they should contact their GP.

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Parents who suspect their child has symptoms of scarlet fever are advised that they should:

Contact their GP, visit 111.wales.nhs.uk, or call NHS 111 Wales  

Make sure their child takes the full course of any antibiotics prescribed by the doctor

Keep their child at home, away from nursery, school or work and follow any guidance provided by their GP on how long they should remain absent from these settings.

Up-to-date information and advice on streptococcal A infections are available at 111.wales.nhs.uk.

Further information on the symptoms that parents should look out for and who they should contact for further advice is available on the Public Health Wales website.