Last Monday, the National Public Health Organization announced the death of a six-year-old child who suffered from septic shock from a nursing home. EODY reported death to ECDC, as expected, as a blood culture revealed invasive group A streptococcus (iGAS – Streptococcus pyogenes).

This is the first death from streptococcus A since the outbreak, EODY notes.

What is streptococcus?

It is a common microbe that occurs very frequently, and group A invasive streptococcal infections are not tracked under the mandatory reporting system in Greece. However, due to the recent outbreak of cases in the UK and other European countries, EODY has required the country’s health authorities to report confirmed cases of group A streptococcus.

Group A streptococcus, also known as pyogenic streptococcus or GAS (group A streptococcus), is a bacterium that can cause a variety of infections in humans, usually mild but in rare cases very serious, even fatal, if not treated properly. In a small percentage (1-5%) of people, the bacterium is found in the throat or on the skin or elsewhere without getting sick, i.e. these people are healthy carriers of the bacteria.

How is streptococcus spread?

Group A streptococcus is transmitted by airborne droplets with the secretions of patients, by contact with infected surfaces, by contact with infected wounds on the skin of patients, from healthy carriers of the bacteria. As EODY notes, group A streptococcus is much more easily transmitted by symptomatic and sick people than by healthy carriers of the bacterium.

Symptoms. How does a streptococcal infection manifest itself?

Group A streptococcus commonly causes infections such as pharyngitis, fever, and a skin rash known as scarlet fever, skin infections such as impetigo, and cellulitis, which is inflammation of the skin and subcutaneous fat.

In some cases, if a streptococcal infection is not treated with appropriate antibiotics, it can lead to serious complications such as kidney damage or heart (rheumatic fever).

The symptoms that an affected person will experience depend on the type of infection caused by the bacterium.. For example, pharyngotonsillitis is manifested by fever, sore throat, dysphagia, swelling of the tonsils with a whitish coating, swollen lymph nodes, and hemorrhagic spots on the palate.

Rarely, group A streptococcus can cause invasive disease in humans. (iGAS-invasive group A streptococcus), i.e. a very serious infection that, if left untreated, can be fatal. Forms of invasive bacterial disease include necrotizing peritonitis and streptococcal toxic shock syndrome.

Most Vulnerable

Anyone can get streptococcus. However, those most vulnerable to the bacterium are young children, the elderly, immunocompromised people, people with chronic illnesses, and those living in conditions of poor hygiene and overcrowding. Streptococcus pyogenes is one of the most common causes of pharyngitis in school-age children.

No vaccine

There is currently no vaccine to prevent streptococcal infection caused by group A pyogenic streptococcus. However, some vaccines against this bacterium are under study.

Preventive action

Prevention measures for streptococcal infection caused by Streptococcus pyogenes include:

-Proper observance of the rules of hygiene and hand hygiene

– Application of personal protective measures

– Avoid crowds and ventilate the area well.

– Proper cleaning and disinfection of surfaces and frequently used items in accordance with the instructions of specialists

– Limiting home care for at least 24 hours after starting antibiotic treatment.

What is the treatment?

Group A streptococcal infection should be treated immediately with appropriate antibiotics, depending on the severity of the infection.

When should we ask for help?

Persistent fever, severe angina, dysphagia, fever with rash, and severe diarrhea are symptoms that require immediate medical attention. Invasive streptococcal infection develops quickly, so any suspicion of the disease requires immediate medical examination.

EODY notes that it has sent out advice on appropriate protective measures and therapeutic treatment for such incidents and is ready for early case detection. Epidemiological data do not indicate that there are concerns for the health of the country’s population.