Parents are being urged to watch for signs of invasive Group A streptococcal infection in their kids following the recent deaths of 10 children across Ontario and B-C from the bacterial infection.
myFM spoke with the region’s medical officer of health Dr. Ninh Tran to explain the difference between Strep A which causes infections like strep throat and invasive Group A streptococcal.
As is the case across the province, Dr. Tran confirmed the number of cases of invasive Strep A is increasing in the Southwestern Public Health region.
Group A streptococcal is not spread through the air and infected persons are generally not contagious after 24 hours of treatment with appropriate antibiotics.
The bacteria can enter the bloodstream or deep tissue via the nose or throat, or even a paper cut.
Dr. Allison McGreer, an infectious disease specialist, says the uptick in invasive Group A Strep infections may be explained by the rise in flu and other respiratory infections.
Dr. Tran advises worst case scenarios can result in severe invasive Group A Strep infections.
According to the health unit, close contacts of invasive Group A Strep should seek immediate medical attention if they begin to feel unwell within 30 days after their last contact with the ill person.
A fact sheet on Group A streptococcal disease can be found here.
