Warnings have been issued by European health agencies regarding invasive group A streptococcus (iGAS), an infection that commonly causes mild illnesses but has recently resulted in the deaths of 16 children in the United Kingdom.
Group A Streptococcal (GAS) infection commonly causes mild illnesses such as tonsillitis, pharyngitis, impetigo, cellulitis and scarlet fever, however, in rare instances, such an infection can lead to iGAS, which can cause life-threatening conditions.
At least five European countries (France, the Netherlands, Sweden, the United Kingdom and Ireland) have reported an out-of-season increase in scarlet fever cases — the majority of cases would typically be seen from the beginning of February to April — to the World Health Organisation (WHO).
"The observed increase may reflect an early start to the GAS infection season coinciding with an increase in the circulation of respiratory viruses. This is in the context of increased population mixing following a period of reduced circulation during the pandemic," a WHO statement read.
Rising deaths
More worryingly, they have also noted a rise in the proportion of iGAS diseases while several deaths associated with iGAS in children less than 10 years of age have also been reported in Ireland, France and the United Kingdom.
On Thursday, the latest update on iGAS cases by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) showed that, so far in England, there have been 74 such deaths across all age groups, including 16 children under 18. In comparison, a total of 27 deaths as a result of this disease were recorded among children in the 2017 to 2018 season.
"Scarlet fever and ‘strep throat’ will make children feel unwell, but can be easily treated with antibiotics," said Dr Colin Brown, Deputy Director, UKHSA.
"It is very rare that a child will go on to become more seriously ill, but parents know better than anyone else what your child is usually like, so you’ll know when they are not responding as they would normally. Make sure you speak to a healthcare professional if your child is getting worse after a bout of scarlet fever, a sore throat or respiratory infection."
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Symptoms to look out for include fever, sore throat, swollen glands, difficulty swallowing, and headache. Despite the unusually high number of deaths due to the illness, the WHO stated the risk for the general population posed by iGAS infections is low at present.
WHO Regional Director for Europe Dr Hans Henri P. Kluge did call on countries to "increase vigilance to iGAS cases, especially when respiratory viruses are widely circulating in children."
Situation in Belgium
However, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) noted that all other European countries should be vigilant for a similar rise in cases in children and report any unexpected increased national or regional incidence of iGAS infections. "Cases of iGAS can be managed easily if detected in a timely manner," ECDC Director Dr Andrea Ammon noted.
Belgium's Health Institute Sciensano confirmed to The Brussels Times that the country has reported an increase in the number of cases, especially among children under the age of five, in October-November, confirmed by control laboratories, but so far is not sounding the alarm.
"The incidence of GAS infections usually peaks in winter and early spring. The current trend is not unexpected, especially after the various measures implemented during the Covid-19 pandemic," its spokesperson said.
