At least two more cities in Minas Gerais this Wednesday (25) suspended classes in the municipal network to take preventive measures against the bacteria Streptococcus pyogenes.

Streptococcus pyogenes can cause serious consequences in children – Photo: Reproduction

It is Tiradentes and Santa Cruz de Minas, both neighbors of São João del Rey, who is investigating the death of three children who may have been victims of a bacterium.

In Santa Cruz de Minas, a 9-year-old boy is admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (Intensive Care Center) of the city of Santa Cas and must be transferred to Belo Horizonte. The child was tested for the presence of the bacteria Streptococcus pyogenes, but the results have not yet been made public.

According to Mayor Wagner Almeida (Poland), another child in the city was also hospitalized with symptoms of infection and has already been discharged.

Schools will be disinfected as a preventative measure following child deaths (illustrative image). – Photo: Pixabay/Disclosure/ND

There are no suspicious cases in Tiradentes yet. According to the mayor’s office, the suspension of classes is preventive in nature. The measure is valid until next Friday (27).

“This is not just about cleaning schools. We are talking about using a stronger chemical. To do this, schools must be closed. Some families have asked to suspend classes for an indefinite period, but we still have neither scientific support nor permission for a distance learning system,” said Municipal Education Minister Waldo Rosa.

Bacteria

The bacterium is believed to be linked to the deaths of three children in San Joao del Rey. The city council has sent samples from two victims for testing to Fundação Ezequiel Dias, which will show whether the infection was indeed the cause of death.

Infectious disease specialist Adelino Melo explained that the bacteria is “common” among children and that some people do not develop severe symptoms.

Signs of infection include sore throat and tonsillitis. The advice is that if someone experiences these symptoms, they should seek medical attention and avoid contact with other people.

Infected people may suffer from sore throat – Photo: Freepik/ND

On Tuesday (24), the Minas State Department of Health reported that there are no criteria to confirm an outbreak or a health risk to the population of San Joao del Rey, and that there is no epidemiological data to justify a change in treatment regimen. activity.

The reporter has contacted the secretariat to see if the situation remains the same and is awaiting feedback.