AU: Strep A cases

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Source: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-01...-infections-among-children-victoria/101831656

Health authorities warn of a jump in invasive strep A infections among children
Posted 18h ago, updated 18h ago
Key points:

In 2022, 42 invasive strep A infections were detected in two Victorian children's hospitals
An expert says people should look out for symptoms such as lethargy and fever
The rise in case numbers could be caused by a range of factors, such as the possible emergence of a new strain

While the common infectious bacterial disease mostly triggers mild symptoms like a sore throat, in some people it can cause life-threatening sepsis.

An alert issued last month by Victoria's hospital safety watchdog, Safer Care Victoria, said during 2022, 42 cases of the invasive strep A infections were detected at the Royal Children's Hospital (RCH) and Monash Children's Hospital.

Two Victorian children died with the illness last year.

"Since September, the number of invasive group A streptococcal infections that RCH has identified … has been similar (21 cases) to that seen in an average year (20-25 cases per year," the notice said...

 

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Source: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/ar...estern-Australia-Queensland-NSW-Victoria.html

Nasty infection you've 'probably never heard' of surges in Australia as an urgent warning is issued to parents: 'It can kill within hours'
Strep A cases rise in WA, Victoria, NSW and Queensland
Experts warn the nasty bacteria infection can kill within hours
Parents urged to be vigilant and seek medical attention immediatelyBy Kylie Stevens For Daily Mail AustraliaPublished: 20:30 EST, 31 January 2023 | Updated: 21:25 EST, 31 January 2023


Health authorities have issued an urgent warning to parents about a life-threatening infection running rampant across Australia.

Cases of the killer bug Strep A have doubled in Western Australia in the past three months in the state's first major surge of the infection in two decades.

On the other side of the country, Queensland, NSW and Victorian authorities have also all reported recent spikes in Strep A cases among children.

Also known as group A Streptococcus, the bacterial infection is found in the throat and skin but can lead to other invasive infections.

It's the same infection that led to the death of Perth girl Aishwarya Aswath in 2021 and claimed the lives of at least two other children in Victoria last year...