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
What's a Barnacle? It's yellow, sticks and screams if you try to pry it off your car
Barnacles, bright yellow devices used to make sure parking scofflaws pay their tickets, could soon be making their way to cities across Canada.
Verdun Airbnb listing taken down amid complaints, fines and frustration from neighbours
An Airbnb in Montreal's Verdun borough was the source of much frustration from neighbours who say there were constant parties at the location. It has been taken down from the app, but housing advocates remain upset about short-term rentals.
Man who set himself on fire outside Trump trial dies of injuries, police say
A man who doused himself in an accelerant and set himself on fire outside the courthouse where former U.S. President Donald Trump is on trial has died, police said.
They were from different countries and barely spoke each other's languages. More than 20 years later, they're still happily in love
He decided to spend Christmas somewhere that wouldn't involve snowstorm disasters. She was spending the holidays with family, travelling for the first time outside of her native country of Venezuela. 23 years later, they're still in love.
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
A Nigerian chess champion plays the royal game for 60 hours - a new global chess record
A Nigerian chess champion and child education advocate played chess nonstop for 60 hours in New York City's Times Square to break the Guinness World Record for the longest chess marathon.
Fire in Labrador town under control, officials tells residents to stay away
RCMP say the fire that prompted a state of emergency in a Labrador town is now under control.
12 students and teacher killed in Columbine school shooting remembered at 25th anniversary vigil
Thirteen victims of the Columbine High School shooting were remembered during a vigil Friday on the eve of the 25th anniversary of the shooting that was the worst the nation had seen at the time.
Israeli airstrike in southern Gaza city of Rafah kills at least 9 Palestinians, including 6 children
An Israeli airstrike on a house in Gaza's southernmost city of Rafah killed at least nine people, six of them children, hospital authorities said Saturday, as Israel pursued its nearly seven-month offensive in the besieged Palestinian territory.