This Tuesday, February 7, Public Health France published its first report in 2023 on pediatric cases of invasive Group A Streptococcus infections. 30 new cases were identified and two children died, only in January.
Group A Streptococcus is claiming more victims in France. For the first time since 2023, two deaths linked to the bacteria have been recorded, over the period from January 1 to 29, details Public Health France (SPF) in its latest report. One occurred in a hospital, the other before hospitalization.
Infection update
Since the beginning of the year, Public Health France has observed “a decrease in the number of severe cases hospitalized in critical care units“. In detail, more than half of the cases occurred following a viral infection. In January alone, 30 cases were identifiedbringing the total to 121.
In total, 17 children died from Streptococcus A bacteria infectionseleven in hospitals and six before they could be hospitalized.
How to explain the increase in cases?
No vaccine is currently recognized against streptococcus A. Treatment with antibiotics is generally prescribed to fight against the bacteria. On the prevention side, respect for hygiene measuresand in the first place hand washing, is recommended.
This rise in cases “could result, at least in part, from a rebound after barrier measures in children whose immune system has not been in contact with the strains that usually circulate. These infections are also frequently superinfections of viral respiratory infections, which are also on the increase“, analyzes Public Health France.
More infections
This human transmission bacterium has a mortality rate estimated at 10%. It climbs to “30% in the event of streptococcal toxic shock, 15% for necrotizing dermo-hypodermitis and 20% for meningitis”.
“In France, these invasive infections have been increasing since 2000the incidence rate having increased from 1.2 to 3.3/100,000″, specifies the Pasteur Institute.