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| bacteria_strain = [[Group A streptococcus]] |
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| location = [[United Kingdom]] |
| location = [[United Kingdom]] |
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Revision as of 22:20, 6 February 2023
2022–2023 United Kingdom Group A streptococcus outbreak | |
---|---|
Disease | Group A streptococcal infection (iGAS) Scarlet fever |
Bacteria strain | Group A streptococcus |
Location | United Kingdom |
Confirmed cases | iGAS: >1,675 Scarlet fever: >38,429 |
Deaths | 236 |
Fatality rate | 13.1% (iGAS) |
In late 2022, an ongoing disease outbreak caused by the bacterium Streptococcus pyogenes, a Lancefield group A streptococcus, began in the United Kingdom. It is often referred to as the Strep A outbreak in the media. These bacteria cause group A streptococcal infections (Strep A or iGAS) and scarlet fever.[1][2] In the UK, 236 deaths from iGAS have been recorded, of which 38 were children, 29 in England,[3] five in Wales,[4] three in Scotland,[5] and one in Northern Ireland.[6]
There were 1,675 notifications of iGAS recorded in England between 12 September 2022 and 15 January 2023. Notifications of scarlet fever have also seen a large increase, with 38,429 infections reported in England during the same period.[7]
Background
Group A streptococcal infections are diseases, including scarlet fever, which are caused by the bacterium Streptococcus pyogenes, a Lancefield group A streptococcus (GAS).[1] In 2007 it was estimated that GAS infections cause over 500,000 deaths per year.[8] On very rare occasions, GAS enter the bloodstream and cause an illness called invasive group A strep (iGAS) which is very serious, particularly in older, younger and more vulnerable groups.[9]
In the United Kingdom, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has said that the last comparably high season was the 2017/18 season, where 355 deaths occurred from iGAS, 27 of which were children.[9] During this season the UKHSA also received total of 30,768 reports of scarlet fever.[7]
Deaths
So far, 236 deaths have been recorded within 7 days of an iGAS infection, 38 of which were children. The other reported deaths are people over the age of at least 15.[7] Usually, only one or two children under the age of 10 die from GAS infections during a typical winter.[5]
The case fatality rate (CFR) for iGAS from 12 September to 15 January in England was 13.1%.[7]
Country | Child deaths | Adult deaths | Total |
---|---|---|---|
England | 29 | 182 | 211 |
Scotland | 3 | 16 | 19[10] |
Wales | 5 | - | 5 |
Northern Ireland | 1 | - | 1 |
Total | 38 | 198 | 236 |
As of 15 January 2023 |
Cases
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said that an average of 2,861 (range 479 to 5,051) of scarlet fever were recorded during the same period over the past 5 years.[7]
The following shows the number of notifications of iGAS and scarlet fever published by data from the UKHSA from 12 September to 15 January.[7]
Country | iGAS | Scarlet fever | Total |
---|---|---|---|
England | 1,675 | 38,429 | 40,108 |
Scotland | - | - | - |
Wales | - | - | - |
Northern Ireland | - | - | - |
Total | 1,675 | 38,429 | 40,108 |
As of 15 January 2023 |
Response
During a House of Commons debate on 7 December 2022, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak was accused of downplaying the outbreak after leader of the opposition Keir Starmer questioned him on his handling of the disease. Sunak stated that the infection 'has not become more lethal'.[11]
A survey of 626 parents' attitudes towards Strep A revealed a range of misinformation narratives, with 32% thinking that COVID-19 and flu vaccines were partly responsible for an increase in Strep A infections. Furthermore, 49% were unsure as to whether there is a link between nasal flu vaccines and Strep A. It also found that 28% were sceptical about Strep A, believing that it is a disguise being used to cover up something else. Increasing migration and refugee numbers were blamed by 33% of respondents for the increase in infections.[12]
References
- ^ a b Anjos LM, Marcondes MB, Lima MF, Mondelli AL, Okoshi MP (July 2014). "Streptococcal acute pharyngitis". Revista Da Sociedade Brasileira De Medicina Tropical. 47 (4): 409–13. doi:10.1590/0037-8682-0265-2013. PMID 25229278.
- ^ "Managing scarlet fever". Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin. 55 (9): 102. September 2017. doi:10.1136/dtb.2017.8.0529. PMID 28882851.
- ^ "Strep A: Five more children confirmed to have died in England from the bacterial infection". Sky News. 22 December 2022. Retrieved 22 December 2022.
- ^ "Weekly iGAS update". Public Health Wales. 3 January 2023. Retrieved 5 January 2023.
- ^ a b "Group A streptococcal infections". Public Health Scotland. 25 January 2023. Retrieved 26 January 2023.
- ^ Mundasad, Smitha (8 December 2022). "GPs say parents need clearer strep A advice". BBC News. Retrieved 8 December 2022.
- ^ a b c d e f "Group A streptococcal infections: seventh update on seasonal activity in England". UKHSA. 19 January 2023. Retrieved 19 January 2023.
- ^ Cohen-Poradosu, Ronit; Kasper, Dennis (2007). "Group A Streptococcus Epidemiology and Vaccine Implications". Clinical Infectious Diseases. 45 (7): 863–5. doi:10.1086/521263. PMID 17806050.
- ^ a b "UKHSA update on scarlet fever and invasive Group A strep". UKHSA. 8 December 2022. Retrieved 9 December 2022.
- ^ "Group A streptococcal infections". Public Health Scotland. 25 January 2023. Retrieved 26 January 2023.
- ^ Ashton, Emily (7 December 2022). "Strep A Infection Has Not Become 'More Lethal,' UK's Sunak Says". Bloomberg News. Retrieved 5 January 2023.
- ^ Barrett, Evie (16 December 2022). "Strep A misinformation on the rise as parents believe vaccines cause infections". PRWeek. Retrieved 14 January 2023.