Public Health France has published an initial assessment of pediatric cases of invasive Streptococcus A infections.
Public Health France recognizes this: the cases ofStreptococcus A bacteria infections have increased so “very marked since November in children with levels exceeding those of 2019”.
On Monday, in its balance sheet, the organization notes a “unusual rise in children” of these infections, “non-invasive, in particular scarlet fever since September 2022. The levels observed are close to those observed before the Covid-19 pandemic”.
Serious but rare infections
Public Health France reminds:
More rarely, it is responsible for serious invasive infections (necrotizing skin infections, puerperal infections, pneumopathies and pleuropneumopathies and meningitis) which may be associated with streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (STSS).
Scarlet feverangina and impetigo are the most commonly developed pathologies. Traditional barrier gestures are recommended in order to avoid any risk of transmission.
In France, two children died
On December 6, the General Directorate of Health informed caregivers that “Several pediatric cases of invasive group A streptococcal infections […]in larger numbers than usual, have been reported in different regions – Occitanie, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, Nouvelle-Aquitaine – in the last 15 days”.
The same DGS indicated that two children and an adult died at thehospital as a result of complications from these infections. United Kingdom, 16 children died to this type ofinfection.
Doctors want to reassure
But a call for calm is launched by health professionals. BFMTV reports the words of Yazdan Yazdanpanah, head of the infectious diseases department at Bichat Hospital in Paris, regarding the bacteria: “It’s not more resistant, it’s not a more severe form”.
Same story on the side of Claire Poyart, head of the national center of streptococci:
It is a bacterium that is extremely sensitive to antibioticsand for severe forms, we have other antibiotics or amoxicillin which can be given. So there are no major concerns regarding the possibility of treating these children.
