A fundraiser has been set up for a Bolton four-year-old girl said to be “fighting for her life” in hospital after a Strep A infection.   

Camila Rose Burns, from Bolton, who is now on a ventilator, has been described as the “the poorliest girl in the whole of England” after contracting a Strep A infection.  

Having been admitted to Liverpool’s Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, Camila’s parents, Dean and Kaye, haven't left her side.  

Laura Daniels, Camila's auntie, has since set up a GoFundMe page to help the family, have "one less thing to worry about".  

She said: “Dean and Kaye understandably have not and will not leave Camila's side during this absolutely heartbreaking situation. 

“Due to this, there will be no income coming into the home. 

“After many people have asked, I have decided to set up this page to help them with one less thing to worry about during this nightmare.” 

Camila's dad Dean Burns said his daughter's condition got worse last weekend and she went from dancing on the Friday night with her friends to feeling “a little bit under the weather on Saturday” and needing emergency care on Monday. 

Health experts are investigating cases of Strep A infection after the deaths of six young children and a rise in cases. 

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said there has been a rise in rare invasive Group A strep this year, particularly in children under 10, with five deaths of under-10s in England since September. 

A separate case has been reported in Wales, taking the known UK total to six. 

Mr Burns told Sky News: “When we got here Monday, they said she’s the poorliest girl in the whole of England. 

“To go from dancing on Friday night with her friends to a little bit under the weather on Saturday and then a bit more bad on Sunday, she’s basically not the same girl any more. 

“It’s heartbreaking.” 

There was a sickness bug going around Camila’s school and she complained about her chest hurting, Mr Burns said. 

Camila was taken to hospital last Saturday where she was prescribed an inhaler and told she could go home – but her health deteriorated a day later. 

The UKHSA said investigations are also underway following reports of an increase in lower respiratory tract Group A Strep infections in children over the past few weeks, which have caused severe illness. 

It said there is no evidence a new strain is circulating and the rises are most likely due to high amounts of circulating bacteria and social mixing. 

Mr Burns, who feels parents should act quickly if they see their child is sick, said: “When I look back, it still just seemed like a sickness bug. She was really lethargic at times but her health was improving until she completely changed.” 

Health officials are urging parents to contact NHS 111 or their GP if their child is getting worse, is feeding or eating much less than normal, has had a dry nappy for 12 hours or more or shows other signs of dehydration. 

They should also seek help if their baby is under three months and has a temperature of 38C, or is older than three months with a temperature of 39C or higher. 

A very tired or irritable child is also a red flag. 

If their child is having difficulty breathing (by making grunting noises or sucking their stomach in under their ribs) or pauses in breathing, has blue skin, tongue or lips, or is floppy and unresponsive, parents should call 999 or go to A&E. 

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