Two children at a school dealing with an infection outbreak have died, health authorities said on Wednesday. Both children were pupils at Millstead Primary School in Everton, Liverpool , which teaches children aged two to 11 years, who have special educational needs. The agency has not confirmed the sex or ages of the children who have died.
They were reportedly aged five and six. But the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said a link between their deaths has not been established but both are “unlikely” to be due to a “number of cases” of an infection called Giardiasis. What is Giardiasis? Giardiasis is an infection of the digestive system caused by tiny parasites known as Giardia lamblia, the UKHSA said.
The infection can cause symptoms such as diarrhoea, stomach cramps, flatulence and bloating but it is generally not a serious risk to health and can be treated easily with antibiotics, the agency said. Emma Savage, consultant in health protection for the Cheshire and Merseyside Health Protection Team, 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. “Investigations are ongoing, and we have provided information and advice to the school and parents. Public health meas.