10 July 2024 , 07:51
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Two children aged just five and six who attended the same primary school in Liverpool have died amid an outbreak of an intestinal infection.
The headteacher of Millstead Primary School, in the suburb of Everton, confirmed that the pair of pupils who ‘filled their classes with joy’ had died.
The school is dealing with an outbreak of giardiasis, with public health officials saying it is ‘unlikely’ the students died due to it.
Giardiasis, also called giardia, is an intestinal infection caused by a single-celled parasite.
The parasite is spread by contaminated water – such as swallowing water from streams, lakes or puddles – or contact with an infected person.
Swimmers, divers, travellers and hikers are advised to assume water sources are contained and should either purify drinking water or drink bottled water.
Symptoms include bloating, chronic diarrhoea and abdominal cramps. While hard to diagnose, it doesn’t pose much of a risk and is easily treated with antibiotics.
A spokesperson for the UKHSA said: ‘UK Health Security Agency are aware of the sad deaths of two children who attend Millstead Primary School and our thoughts are with the family, friends and school community.
‘The deaths are unlikely to be due to giardia. Giardia usually causes a self-limiting gastrointestinal illness which can spread easily in households and school settings.’