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A recent investigation reveals that one baby dies every two weeks due to early onset preventable illnesses caused by group B streptococcus bacteria in England. The percentage has already increased by 12 percent between 2011 and 2015.

One baby dies every two weeks caused by a preventable infection. Data from the Public Health England reveals that the number of babies made ill by early onset group B streptococcus (GBS) has already increased in the past five years from 2011 to 2015, Independent UK reports.

The British Pediatric Surveillance Unit also reports that 518 newborn babies in the United Kingdom and Ireland are made ill due to bacterial infection with a recorded 27 deaths and dozens more acquiring permanent disabilities from 2011 to April 2015.

According to the UNICEF, during the neonatal period in the life of a child, or the first 28 days of a baby, a child is at its most vulnerable stage. Although neonatal mortality around the globe is declining, some regions, like the United Kingdom still experiences an increase in newborn baby death.

However, the worldwide neonatal rate around the globe has fallen by 47 percent between 1990 and 2015 from 36 deaths per 1,000 live births to 19 deaths per 1,000 live births. From 1990 to 2015, the number of babies who died within the neonatal period decreased from 5.1 million to 2.7 million.

Globally, the main cause of neonatal deaths was due to preterm birth complications, intrapartum-related complications, and sepsis.

The early onset group B streptococcus (GBS) is carried out by an estimated one I four pregnant women and can be passed from the mother to the child. However, babies are usually protected from the bacteria if the mother is given intravenous antibiotics during labor. The bacteria are also harmless in most cases can but can lead to fatal illnesses such as septicemia, pneumonia, and meningitis, with even higher risks during the first week of a baby's life.