Group A Strep Outbreaks and Home Healthcare

Active surveillance in England identified 10 HHC-associated outbreaks of invasive group A Streptococcus in 2018–2019.

Disease caused by invasive group A Streptococcus (iGAS) has notable morbidity and mortality, and the association of this pathogen with healthcare-acquired infections is well known. However, while iGAS outbreaks have been recognized in hospitals and long-term care and outpatient facilities, such outbreaks were not linked to home healthcare (HHC) services until 2013. Public Health England analyzed 10 publicly reported HHC-associated iGAS outbreaks between January 2018 and August 2019 that were confirmed by the presence of strains sharing certain surface proteins (emm type) and linkages to the same HHC agency.

Individual iGAS outbreaks ranged in size from 2 to 39 cases (total, 96 cases and 28 attributable deaths). Median patient age was 83, and…

Reviewing Author

Richard T. Ellison III, MD

Disclosures

Consult/Advisory BoardAcurx Pharmaceuticals, LLC;

Grant/Research SupportDoctors Company Foundation, Massachusetts Department of Public Health

Richard T. Ellison III, MD

Disclosures

Consult/Advisory BoardAcurx Pharmaceuticals, LLC;

Grant/Research SupportDoctors Company Foundation, Massachusetts Department of Public Health

Group A Strep Outbreaks and Home Healthcare

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Reviewing Author