Ontario hospitals told to 'be alert' for increasing trend of invasive Group A strep
Ontario hospitals and pediatric physicians are being told to “be alert” for symptoms of invasive Group A Streptococcal Disease (iGAS) after an “increasing trend” has been identified.
In a memo obtained by CTV News Toronto, dated May 23, the province’s associate chief medical officer of health said an increase of cases had been reported in Ontario among all age groups, including children under the age of 18.
“Rates of illness are highest among those aged 0 to 4 and 65 years of age and older,” Barbara Yaffe wrote in the memo. “Others at increased risk include those with immunocompromising conditions, chickenpox, and people experiencing homelessness or who use injection drugs.
“In a recent report from the United States, some children with iGAS had preceding or concurrent respiratory viral infections.”
The memo was sent to emergency departments, labour and delivery units, and primary care organizations.
Group A Strep (GAS) is an infection caused by bacteria that spreads from person-to-person through direct contact with the nose, throat, respiratory droplets or wound secretions. The common non-invasive illnesses include strep throat, skin infections, such as impetigo, and scarlet fever.
It often can be treated with antibiotics.
According to Public Health Ontario, GAS becomes “invasive” when the bacteria enters the blood stream or deep tissue. The health agency says this can result in severe, life-threatening illness such as pneumonia, meningitis, septicemia, and other serious diseases.
Health-care providers are being asked to provide prompt assessment and treatments for non-invasive GAS, and to be alert for potential complications.
If invasive GAS is suspected, specimens should be collected for testing. Public health units should be notified of any cases and clusters, the memo says.
Public Health Ontario says 894 cases of iGAS were reported in the province between October 2022 and April 30, 2023.
The most recent report says an “increasing trend” of iGAS has been seen since January.
“The total number of iGAS cases reported in April 2023 is the highest monthly case count reported to date since the 2014/15 season,” the report, published in May, notes.
The majority of cases were found in individuals over the age of 18, however 45 children between the ages of one and four were also diagnosed with iGAS.
About 74 per cent of patients were hospitalized as a result.
Yaffe noted in the memo that officials are “closely monitoring the situation” and further updates will be provided if there are any new developments.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS?
Individuals with Group A Streptococcus can experience multiple flu-like symptoms depending on the disease.
This includes:
- Sore throat
- Rash
- Scabs and sores
- Pain and swelling
- Fever
- Severe muscle aches
- Nausea and vomiting
The symptoms may be more intense for those with invasive diseases and can include dizziness, neck stiffness, breathlessness, chest pains, abdominal pain, confusion, and bleeding or pus at infection sites.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Quebec nurse had to clean up after husband's death in Montreal hospital
On a night she should have been mourning, a nurse from Quebec's Laurentians region says she was forced to clean up her husband after he died at a hospital in Montreal.
'Anything to win': Trudeau says as Poilievre defends meeting protesters
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is accusing Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre of welcoming 'the support of conspiracy theorists and extremists,' after the Conservative leader was photographed meeting with protesters, which his office has defended.
Bank of Canada officials split on when to start cutting interest rates
Members of the Bank of Canada's governing council were split on how long the central bank should wait before it starts cutting interest rates when they met earlier this month.
Northern Ont. lawyer who abandoned clients in child protection cases disbarred
A North Bay, Ont., lawyer who abandoned 15 clients – many of them child protection cases – has lost his licence to practise law.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
What is changing about Canada's capital gains tax and how does it impact me?
The federal government's proposed change to capital gains taxation is expected to increase taxes on investments and mainly affect wealthy Canadians and businesses. Here's what you need to know about the move.
Police tangle with students in Texas and California as wave of campus protest against Gaza war grows
Police tangled with student demonstrators in Texas and California while new encampments sprouted Wednesday at Harvard and other colleges as school leaders sought ways to defuse a growing wave of pro-Palestinian protests.
Something in the water? Canadian family latest to spot elusive 'Loch Ness Monster'
For centuries, people have wondered what, if anything, might be lurking beneath the surface of Loch Ness in Scotland. When Canadian couple Parry Malm and Shannon Wiseman visited the Scottish highlands earlier this month with their two children, they didn’t expect to become part of the mystery.
Pilot reported fire onboard plane carrying fuel, attempted to return to Fairbanks just before crash
One of the two pilots aboard an airplane carrying fuel reported there was a fire on the airplane shortly before it crashed and burned outside Fairbanks, killing both people on board, a federal aviation official said Wednesday.