Strep A cases are rising in Canada. What symptoms to watch for
strep A cases have been on the rise in the past year, with invasive disease resulting in hospitalizations and some deaths among children.“Early data indicates that iGAS disease activity in 2023 is higher compared to pre-pandemic years, particularly in children under 15 years of age,” the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) told Global News in an emailed statement.Invasive group A streptococcus (iGAS) has been identified collectively by the federal, provincial and territorial governments as a priority for monitoring and control and must be reported to the public health authorities, PHAC said.iGAS occurs when the bacteria cause deeper infections and are isolated from a normally sterile body site, such as the blood, the agency said.Respiratory viruses like influenza, COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) can raise the likelihood of getting sick with strep A, said Dr. Brian Conway, medical director of the Vancouver Infectious Diseases Centre.Strep A are bacteria found on the skin and throat that can cause a wide range of diseases in children and adults.
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