AN MP says she is “appalled” at the outbreak of a deadly bacterial infection in mid Essex and is calling on the Government to intervene.

Priti Patel is ramping up the pressure on health bosses investigating the outbreak of invasive Group A Streptococcus, which has so far claimed the lives of 12 people.

The Mid Essex Clinical Commissioning Group is working with Public Health England to identify the source of the outbreak and has implemented a number of control measures to prevent it spreading further.

A total of 30 cases have been confirmed in mid Essex so far, but experts have previously admitted the figure will probably rise.

Ms Patel says she is monitoring the situation closely and has now spoken to Health Secretary Matt Hancock to ensure everything possible is being done to solve the crisis.

She said: “I am appalled by the current situation which has been ongoing for a number of weeks.

“I have been clear to the secretary of state that the Department of Health must provide the support to Mid Essex CCG and take action with regard to the situation in mid Essex and whether the department is in discussion with the CCG and the incident monitoring team about the action taken to investigate this outbreak.

“I have asked him to ensure that all appropriate resources are made available to support the CCG in monitoring and controlling this outbreak.

“I am incredibly concerned by this situation and I want to be absolutely sure that everything possible is being done to control the outbreak and that there has been no breakdown in communication at any level in the chain dealing with this infection.”

The CCG says there is a low risk to the wider public and those who died were being treated for chronic wounds at home or in care homes.

Control measures put in place include a deep clean of community nursing stations and nurses being given precautionary antibiotics.

Experts say there will need to be a “significant” number of weeks without any new cases recorded before the outbreak is confirmed over and the CCG can launch an independent review.

Anyone with concerns can a freephone helpline on 03000 032124.