Top US officials have warned of a Strep A outbreak spreading across America – a sign officials worry the bacterial infection will continue to rise in the coming months.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued the urgent advisory on Thursday and updated doctors and public health officials on the situation.
America has suffered two confirmed strep deaths as part of this outbreak, both in Denver, Colorado. Doctors at hospitals in at least six states have reported isolated cases of the virus that have increased this year.
The CDC doesn’t track Strep A nationally, so it’s impossible to know the daily case count. Across the pond, 21 children have died from the disease in Britain – and US officials fear this outbreak will reach the same proportions in the United States.
There are anecdotal reports from at least six hospitals across the US that Strep A cases are more common or more severe than usual this year. Two child deaths have been confirmed in Colorado as part of this outbreak. The CDC does not report real-time national Strep A data
Symptoms of Strep A include skin rash and sores all over the body, flushed cheeks, sore throat, muscle aches and fever. It is a relatively mild disease that does not cause many infant deaths each year
The CDC said it will investigate reports of Strep A cases nationwide.
The agency also stressed the “importance of early detection, diagnosis and appropriate treatment” of Strep A in both adults and children.
Officials warn of a recent increase in infections – and the increased seasonal risk of the disease in every age group.
Cases of both Strep A and streptococcal infection — known as strep throat — typically peak between December and April in the United States.
Strep throat is most common in children between the ages of five and fifteen.
A person can get strep A from someone who has a sore throat – another form of the infection.
…but the good news is that America’s “triplemy” seems to have already peaked
RSV infections continue to decline “fairly rapidly.”
Bacterial infections such as Strep A are more common after viral illnesses because the immune system is worn down and vulnerable from the previous illness.
The CDC warns that while the elderly and immunocompromised are at greatest risk from Strep A, the infection rarely poses a risk to healthy children.
Conditions that put someone at increased risk include diabetes, kidney disease, heart disease and cancer.
In addition, people with wounds or skin conditions, people who inject drugs or who are homeless are more likely to get Strep A.
Earlier this week, one of Missouri’s largest children’s hospitals reported an influx of children with bizarre Strep A symptoms.
Children’s Mercy Kansas City Hospital recently had seven children with symptoms including a “sticky” eye, lump behind the ear and difficulty swallowing resulting in drooling.
Doctors were initially confused by the cases, but further investigation revealed that each child had Strep A. They found that these were not typical symptoms of a Strep A infection.
Some experts fear that lockdowns have robbed children of their immunity to common infections, making cases of Strep A and other infections more serious than usual.
Earlier this week, the CDC acknowledged that school closings, mask orders, lockdowns and other pandemic orders may have contributed to the increasing severity of Strep A this year.
Pandemic prevention measures such as covering up school closings may have contributed to the explosion in flu and RSV cases.
This in turn could have led to more bacterial infections such as Strep A, which often occur when the immune system is vulnerable after a viral infection.
“We just don’t see that much together in such a short time,” said dr. Angela Myers, director of infectious diseases at Children’s Mercy, The Washington Post.
Typical symptoms of Strep A include a rash, fever, sore throat, flushed cheeks, muscle pain and skin sores.
While invasive cases of group A streptococci (iGAS) may have other, more severe symptoms, eye problems and drooling are not usually associated with the infection.
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Crystal Leahy is an author and health journalist who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a background in health and wellness, Crystal has a passion for helping people live their best lives through healthy habits and lifestyles.
