Cambridgeshire parents told to keep children off school if they have a fever

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has urged parents to keep children off school if they have a fever amid high levels of flu, Covid-19 and invasive Strep A disease (iGas).

The advice comes as figures released last week show that at least 30 children have now died in the UK from conditions related to iGas, which can cause scarlet fever.

Professor Susan Hopkins, chief medical adviser at the UKHSA, said children should stay home from school if they are unwell and adults should stay home or wear a mask.

“It’s important to minimise the spread of infection in schools and other education and childcare settings as much as possible,” she said.

A Cambridgeshire County Council spokesperson said: “We fully support the advice given by UKHSA to keep children at home if they have flu, Covid-19 or scarlet fever (iGas), or symptoms associated with these conditions. Although most people will experience only mild symptoms, by keeping your child at home means you are minimising the spread to other children or staff in the setting.”

Prof Hopkins also recommended that young children receive a flu vaccination.