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Source: https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/20...iled-to-stop-outbreak-at-toronto-shelter.html
First effort failed to stop outbreak at Toronto shelter
Testing and treatment of residents at the men's homeless shelter seemed to be working until more cases in June.
By David RiderCity Hall Bureau Chief
Sun., Aug. 7, 2016
Toronto Public Health thought in May it had tamed the group-A strep outbreak at Seaton House shelter that has sickened 37 people, but was forced to call outside experts when the bacteria roared back.
Health officials are still fighting the March-declared outbreak, and awaiting the results of more than 170 throat swab tests conducted over the weekend on expert advice after more limited testing and treatment failed to halt the bug.
The outbreak hospitalized five residents of the George St. homeless shelter who were sickened by the potentially deadly ?invasive? strain. One died from other medical causes, says TPH?s Dr. Michael Finkelstein.
Finkelstein said efforts to stop the spread of group-A strep in April and May, including testing over weeks of some people in the shelter, appeared to be having results, until a cluster of new cases appeared in June.
People can carry group-A streptococcus in their throat or on skin without knowing it. Other ?superficial? infections, including strep throat, fever and skin infections, have been suffered by 30 shelter residents and two staff...
First effort failed to stop outbreak at Toronto shelter
Testing and treatment of residents at the men's homeless shelter seemed to be working until more cases in June.
By David RiderCity Hall Bureau Chief
Sun., Aug. 7, 2016
Toronto Public Health thought in May it had tamed the group-A strep outbreak at Seaton House shelter that has sickened 37 people, but was forced to call outside experts when the bacteria roared back.
Health officials are still fighting the March-declared outbreak, and awaiting the results of more than 170 throat swab tests conducted over the weekend on expert advice after more limited testing and treatment failed to halt the bug.
The outbreak hospitalized five residents of the George St. homeless shelter who were sickened by the potentially deadly ?invasive? strain. One died from other medical causes, says TPH?s Dr. Michael Finkelstein.
Finkelstein said efforts to stop the spread of group-A strep in April and May, including testing over weeks of some people in the shelter, appeared to be having results, until a cluster of new cases appeared in June.
People can carry group-A streptococcus in their throat or on skin without knowing it. Other ?superficial? infections, including strep throat, fever and skin infections, have been suffered by 30 shelter residents and two staff...