“For comparison, during this same period in 2017-2021, there were rather 0 to 1 cases of invasive infections among Montreal children”, specifies the DRSP.
NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC | Increase in the number of invasive group A streptococcal infections in Montreal children.
To know the main symptoms, people at risk and recommendations: https://t.co/zW749D1J5y#PublicHealthMTL pic.twitter.com/3YHNFdJyqp
— Health Montreal (@santemontreal) December 16, 2022
The children affected are between 0 and 2 years old and there would be no epidemiological link between the infections, according to the investigations of the DRSP.
Not just in Montreal
The World Health Organization (WHO) reported on December 15 that at least five countries have reported an increase in GAS infections among children in recent weeks.
Symptoms of Group A Streptococcus
Group A streptococcus (GAS) is a bacteria that can be found in the throat and on the skin of healthy people. In fact, 20% of healthy people are carriers without being sick.
While the bacteria can cause mild symptoms, such as a sore throat or scarlet fever, it can also, for some people, cause a more serious infection.
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If GAS gets under the skin and causes a serious tissue infection, it is called a “flesh-eating” bacterium. This type of infection has a lethality rate of between 10 and 15%.
The main symptoms of severe infection are then fever, severe malaise, severe pain at the infected site with rapidly spreading redness or blueness, pneumonia and blood infection.
GAS can be transmitted through contact with droplets from the nose or throat of severely infected people, by coming into contact with infected skin wounds and, very rarely, by coming into contact with droplets from a person infected, but healthy.
How to treat the infection
A GAS infection can be resolved with antibiotic treatment such as penicillin or amoxicillin.
Risk factors
- Be 65 or older
- Recent infection with a respiratory virus including influenza or recent flu-like syndrome
- Chickenpox (recent infection)
- Presence of certain comorbidities (diabetes, cancer, weakened immune system, chronic lung disease, chronic heart disease, etc.)
- Heavy drinking
- Homeless people
- Drug use including injection drugs
- Presence of wound(s)
- Recent trauma (including non-penetrating trauma)
- Skin infection (dermatitis)
- Skin infestation (e.g. scabies)
- Skin disease (eg psoriasis, eczema)
- Close contact with someone infected with GAS
In parents, it is advisable to watch for symptoms of fever, sore throat, headache and skin infection with significant pain in children.
For the general population, it is recommended to stay home if ill, seek medical attention if GAS-like symptoms occur, wash hands frequently, practice “good respiratory etiquette”, and wear a mask in public indoor places.