Strep A: fears NHS will struggle to cope as seventh child reported to have died

Nadhim Zahawi says parents should look out for symptoms of infection, such as fever, headache or skin rash

Medics have raised the alarm over the ability of the NHS to cope with increased rates of strep A, after reports that a 12-year-old schoolboy from London had become the latest child to die after contracting a rare, invasive form of the infection.

On Sunday, cabinet minister Nadhim Zahawi urged parents to be vigilant for signs of streptococcus A, even though most cases are mild.