Streptococcus A outbreak that was first identified in the United Kingdom has now spread to other countries, including France and Australia.

The bacteria, commonly known as group A streptococcus (GAS), has already caused several deaths in Europe and Australia.

What is Streptococcus A?

Streptococcus A is a group of bacteria that can cause several infections in humans, including strep throat, skin infections, and invasive diseases like necrotizing fasciitis (flesh-eating disease) and toxic shock syndrome.

Group A Streptococcus can be transmitted from person to person through direct contact with an infected person’s saliva or mucus. The bacteria can also spread through contaminated food or water.

While most people who contract GAS infections recover without any complications, the bacteria can cause severe and life-threatening infections, particularly in people with weakened immune systems.

The outbreak in the UK

The outbreak of Streptococcus A in the UK was first reported in late 2018, with cases mainly concentrated in the southeast and southwest of England. The outbreak affected individuals of all ages, including children and young adults.

Initially, the UK outbreak was associated with an increase in invasive GAS infections, including necrotizing fasciitis and streptococcal toxic shock syndrome.

However, in the early months of 2020, there was a significant decrease in the number of GAS infections reported in the UK, likely due to public health interventions such as improved hand hygiene and increased awareness about the outbreak.

The spread of the outbreak

Despite efforts to contain the outbreak in the UK, the bacteria has now spread to other countries, including France and Australia.

In France, a cluster of invasive GAS infections was linked to a school outbreak that occurred in May and June of 2020, causing several cases of necrotizing fasciitis and sepsis.

In Australia, there have been reports of fatal GAS infections occurring in multiple states, with some cases related to the UK outbreak strain.

The emergence of the UK strain of Streptococcus A in other countries is concerning and highlights the need for better global disease surveillance and collaboration to prevent the spread of infectious diseases.

Preventing and treating Streptococcus A infections

Prevention measures for Streptococcus A include practicing good hand hygiene, covering the mouth when coughing or sneezing, and avoiding close contact with infected individuals.

If bacteria infection is suspected, timely diagnosis and appropriate antibiotic therapy are essential.

Invasive GAS infections, including necrotizing fasciitis and streptococcal toxic shock syndrome, require urgent medical attention and may involve hospitalization and surgical intervention.

Conclusion

The outbreak of Streptococcus A in the UK has now spread internationally, highlighting the importance of global disease surveillance and collaboration to prevent the spread of infectious diseases.

Prevention measures, including hand hygiene and avoiding close contact with infected individuals, are key to reducing the risk of infection, while timely diagnosis and appropriate antibiotic therapy are essential in managing and treating the disease.