Two children who were pupils at the same primary school have died, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has confirmed.

The children had both attended Millstead Primary School in Everton, a facility for children with special educational needs and disabilities.

Millstead Primary School is currently dealing with “a number of cases” of the giardia infection, though the UKHSA said the deaths were “unlikely” to be due to the common gastric disease.

Emma Savage, consultant in health protection for the UKHSA’s Cheshire and Merseyside Health Protection Team, said that their “thoughts are with the family, friends and school community”.

Giardiasis is one of the world’s most common gastric diseases, caused by giardia parasites that mimic human cell functions to break apart cells in the gut and feed inside.

People typically pick up the disease by drinking infected water or contaminated food.

Symptoms include severe diarrhoea, stomach pains, bloating, flatulence and fatigue and can last weeks or months without treatment.

Those suffering from giardiasis are usually able to recover from the illness with or without antibiotics.

Ms Savage added: “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.”

Liverpool City Council has been approached for comment.

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