Alex has warned parents to be vigilant (Picture: Daily Echo/Solent News)

A dad who had all four limbs amputated and facial reconstruction after contracting Strep A has warned parents to be vigilant as a seventh child in the UK has died from the infection.

Alex Lewis, 42, thought he had ‘man flu’ back in 2013 but collapsed and was rushed to hospital where he was given just a three percent chance of survival.

He had contracted Strep A, followed by Septicaemia.

Reports that a schoolboy from Hampshire has become the eighth casualty after contracting the rare, invasive infection, has brought it all back for Alex.

Alex told the Daily Echo: ‘I saw an interview with the father of a little girl in Alder Hey hospital and that was pretty raw.

‘I can only imagine what he’s going through and I know my family went through similar. It’s tough.’

It comes as a wave of the infection has hit the UK in the last month.

Alex Lewis thought he had ‘man flu’ back in 2013 but collapsed and was rushed to hospital where he was given just a three percent chance of survival (Picture: Daily Echo/Solent News)

Before Alex lost all four of his limbs and contracted Strep A in 2013 (Picture: Family/Solent News)

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Group A Streptococcus is the name given to a type of bacteria sometimes found in the throat or on the skin.

It usually causes mild illness, like a sore throat and skin infection, and most people carry it without any symptoms.

Rarely though, these bacteria can cause severe and life-threatening illness called invasive Group A Streptococcal disease.

While still uncommon, cases of invasive Group A Strep are currently four times higher than normal among children aged between one and four, according to UK Health Security Agency (UKSHA) figures.

Health officials must urgently introduce community testing to combat the increased rates of Strep A this winter, a virologist has warned.

Alex told the Daily Echo: ‘I saw an interview with the father of a little girl in Alder Hey hospital and that was pretty raw.

‘I can only imagine what he’s going through and I know my family went through similar. It’s tough.

‘It’s great that the press is raising awareness. I think it’s important that parents don’t panic as it is cold and flu season, but with low baseline immunity after two years of not mixing, things are spreading in schools and it’s quite a worrying time.

Alex with his son Sam back in 2014 (Picture: Daily Echo/Solent News)

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‘Don’t be afraid to ask for help and advice. We know the NHS is under a lot of pressure, but contact your GP, call 111 or go to A&E if necessary and get your child on antibiotics.

‘It’s better to be safe than sorry. I’m very lucky to be here. Don’t be afraid to push to have your child seen.’

Alex, who lives in Stockbridge with his wife Lucy Townsend and nearly 12-year-old son Sam, is the patron of the Lee Spark NF Foundation.

It is the only UK charity offering help and support to anyone affected by severe streptococcal infections or Necrotising Fasciitis.

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