Killer strep A infections remain higher than normal despite signs of slowdown

New figures show that between October 2 last year and March 15 there were 179 cases of invasive strep A, or iGAS, notified here.

Of these 65, or 36pc, were in children aged 18 or younger, of whom 55 were less than nine years old.

This contrasts with the pre-pandemic years when approximately 25pc of iGAS infections were in children aged under 18 years.

However, the latest update from the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) said there are indications the number of iGAS cases may have been decreasing since mid-February.

“However, there is still a lot of variation from week to week and iGAS numbers remain high compared to pre-pandemic levels.”

Since October 2022, there have been six deaths in children – four deaths in children those under 10 and two in 11- to 17-year-olds. There have been 10 deaths in adults, ranging in age from 50 to 96.

The HPSC pointed out that in a normal year, iGAS infections typically peak during the first six months.

“The increase observed towards the end of 2022 is the first time a peak has been reported outside this usual peak period.

“During the pandemic, normal social mixing patterns were interrupted which led to changes in how diseases such as iGAS presented.”

This contrasts with the pre-pandemic years when approximately 25pc of iGAS infections were in children aged under 18.

In a normal year, iGAS infections typically peak during the first six months.

The increase observed towards the end of 2022 is the first time a peak has been reported outside this usual peak period.

It is spread by close contact with an infected person and can be passed on through coughs and sneezes or from a wound

During the pandemic, normal social mixing patterns were interrupted which led to changes in how diseases such as iGAS presented.

“Group A streptococcus is a common bacteria. Lots of us carry it in our throats and on our skin and it doesn’t always result in illness. However, Group A streptococcus does cause a number of infections, some mild and some more serious,” the HPSC update notes.

“It is spread by close contact with an infected person and can be passed on through coughs and sneezes or from a wound.”

Strep A causes infections in the skin, soft tissue and respiratory tract. It is responsible for infections such as tonsillitis, pharyngitis, scarlet fever, impetigo and cellulitis, among others.

While infections like these can be unpleasant, they rarely become serious. When treated with antibiotics, an unwell person with a mild illness like tonsillitis stops being contagious around 24 hours after starting their medication.

A common presentation of group A streptococcus in children can be scarlet fever which causes the following symptoms: fever, a raised rash which can feel rough to the touch, like sandpaper, sore throat, and a swollen tongue.

The first signs of scarlet fever can be flu-like symptoms, including high temperature, a sore throat and swollen neck glands (a large lump on the side of your neck).