Invasive Group A Strep Outbreak Alert Issued in Argentina

The Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO) recently issued an Epidemiological Alert following an increased number of invasive group A streptococcal (iGAS) infection cases, especially in children.
As of November 28, 2023, Argentina had reported 93 fatal cases.
About half of the 643 cases and over 38% of the deaths involved children younger than 16 years.
Previous reports of the National Epidemiological Bulletin of Argentina had alerted about the presence of the M1UK clone and the finding of a hypervirulent M1 sublineage that is being characterized.
Based on these findings, the National Reference Laboratory, the Epidemiology Directorate, and its municipalities are implementing an intensified surveillance protocol for non-invasive Streptococcus pyogenes disease.
PAHO noted that Argentina's developments follow an increase in GAS and scarlet fever cases in Europe and Uruguay in 2022.
Streptococcus pyogenes, or GAS, are gram-positive bacteria that cause a broad spectrum of infections. GASs can lead to life-threatening complications and immune-mediated diseases with chronic sequelae.
According to the PAHO, GASs are responsible for more than 500,000 deaths per year worldwide.
According to the U.S. CDC, most people exposed to someone with a group A strep infection should not receive prophylaxis. However, in some situations, healthcare professionals may recommend prophylaxis for someone exposed to an invasive group A strep infection.
As of November 30, 2023, there is currently no vaccine to prevent group A strep infections, although several vaccines are in development, says the CDC.
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