Montreal public health keeping a close watch on Strep A outbreak in U.K. where 15 children have died
Montreal's public health department is keeping a close eye on the evolution of Strep A infections in the U.K. amid a spike in deaths of children from rare complications caused by the bacteria, a spokesperson told CTV News.
"Montreal public health is closely monitoring the situation (in the U.K.)...if our indicators would show anything of concern we would act," Jean Nicolas Aubé told CTV News.
The uncommon invasive strain of Strep A which, according to the BBC, has claimed the lives of 15 children across the U.K. since September, 9 of them in recent weeks, is a disease that laboratories here in Montreal are obligated to report to public health each time they detect a positive case.
According to Aubé, the numbers they have to date "resemble pretty much what it was last year and what it was before COVID."
He provided the case counts for each November in the last six years.
Cases of invasive group A streptococcal infections (iGAS) in Montreal, adults and children combined:
- 2022: 9
- 2021: 9
- 2020: 4
- 2019: 5
- 2018: 8
- 2017: 9
WHAT IS STREP A?
Strep-A is a common bacterium known as group A streptococcus. It's found around the world and affects all age groups.
The bacteria can cause a wide spectrum of illnesses such as scarlet fever, impetigo and strep throat and is usually a mild infection that is easily treated with antibiotics.
It can even be found in the throats of "about 15 per cent of school-age kids," said the Director of Infectious Diseases at the Montreal Children's Hospital (MCH).
"We call that colonization. It doesn't bother them. They're not symptomatic. It's not transmissible," Dr. Earl Rubin explained.
WHAT ABOUT INVASIVE STREP A?
It's the rare, invasive strain of Strep A that doctors worry about. It gets into the bloodstream, progresses rapidly and can cause the life-threatening illness sepsis, damaging "multiple organs."
This serious form of the infection can also cause necrotizing tissue (fasciitis), streptococcal toxic shock syndrome and pneumonia.
"(Patients) get very sick, often need intensive care treatment, and unfortunately, can die from it," said Rubin.
Any children treated at the MCH over the last few months have recovered, Rubin said in an interview.
"I think it's important to bring forward because it has hit the news of what's happened in the UK," he said. "People need to be aware, to kind of put things into perspective. There is a ton of strep and always has been, but it is the infinitesimally small percentage who suffer severe consequences."
HOW DOES STREP A SPREAD?
Strep A can be transmitted from one person to the next.
According to the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) the bacteria can be spread "by direct contact with infected wounds on the skin and fluids from the nose or throat of infected persons," when that person coughs or sneezes.
WHEN TO SEEK HELP
Since Strep A causes such a wide range of illnesses, there are also a wide range of symptoms.
If the child has a fever and very sore throat for example but is otherwise alright, Rubin said they don't need to go to the emergency room. They can instead visit a clinic or family doctor where a health care provider might perform a strep test.
Scarlet fever is highly infectious. U.K. health officials are asking families there to look for the following symptoms in a child: "a sore throat, headache, and fever, along with a fine, pinkish or red body rash with a sandpapery feel," and to seek treatment quickly to prevent complications.
If the invasive strain has taken hold, Rubin said there will likely be no household debate about whether or not to head to the ER.
"It is very rapid onset. It is quite fulminant and they will be quite sick…non-functioning…I think most parents will not need to be told that they need to seek attention immediately," he said.
HOW ARE SERIOUS OUTBREAKS PREVENTED?
If a child is diagnosed with a strain that produces a toxin (invasive strain), members of the household are likely to be prescribed preventive antibiotics.
Rubin said if there's a similar outbreak in a daycare or school public health might decide to apply the same measure in those settings.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'State or state-sponsored actor' believed to be behind B.C. government hacks
The head of British Columbia’s civil service has revealed that a “state or state-sponsored actor” is behind multiple cyber-security incidents against provincial government networks.
Here's how much more Canadian landlords are asking for now, according to a just-released report
A new report says the average asking rent for a home in Canada in April was up 9.3 per cent compared with a year ago, while a slight month-over-month increase was also recorded for the first time since January.
Rare severe solar storm Friday could bring spectacular aurora light show across Canada
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
What is basic income, and how would it impact me?
Parliamentarians are considering a pair of bills aiming to lift people out of poverty through a basic income program, but some fear these types of systems could result in more taxes for Canadians who are already financially struggling.
Canada abstains from Palestinian UN membership vote but supports two-state solution
Canada was one of 25 countries that abstained from a United Nations vote on Palestinian membership that passed with overwhelming support on Friday.
More than half the Canadians once detained in Syrian camps for suspected ISIS family members have returned home
A total of 29 Canadians have been freed from detention camps in northeast Syria and brought back to Canada since human rights advocates began lobbying for their release years ago.
'I may have some nightmares:' Man survives being bitten by 2 sharks in Bahamas
A man who was bitten by two sharks in the Bahamas said Thursday he's 'thankful that I'm here' while sharing his story of survival.
Out-of-control wildfire burning near Fort McMurray
As of 9 a.m. on Friday, the wildfire burning 28 kilometres southwest of the northeastern Alberta city was 25 hectares in size.
Mexico's president accuses press and volunteer searchers for missing people of 'necrophilia'
The administration of Mexico's president has accused the press and volunteer searchers who look for the bodies of missing people of 'necrophilia,' comments that drew criticism this week.