Woman, 86, dies after streptococcal illness

Published on Friday 5 February 2010 22:06

AN ELDERLY woman has died after contracting a normally harmless infection, a health board has revealed.

The 86-year-old patient died in Liberton Hospital, Edinburgh, after she developed the Group A Streptococcal infection, which is caused by a bacterium usually found living harmlessly on the skin, nose or throat.

An elderly man, who was a patient in the same hospital, is also seriously ill with the infection and is being treated at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary. Another elderly patient is undergoing tests and treatment after he displayed similar symptoms.

As a precaution, NHS Lothian said it had reinforced infection control procedures in Liberton Hospital to help protect patients, staff and visitors.

Tests are under way to establish the source and strains of the infection to establish if there is any link between those patients who are confirmed cases, the board said.

As a precaution, the ward where the woman was treated is not accepting new patients.

All patients in the ward and their relatives have been told.

Dr Alison McCallum, of NHS Lothian, said: "Our thoughts are with the families at this time. Fortunately, in the vast majority of Group A Strep cases, patients will make a full recovery. However, Group A Strep can be serious for elderly people and others with underlying health conditions."