By Antonio Planas and Aria Bendix -
NBC News
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) alerted the medical community on Thursday to an increase in pediatric cases of invasive group A strep infections.
Group A strep are the same bacteria that cause strep throat and scarlet fever, but invasive infections refer to more serious cases in which the bacteria spread to areas of the body not normally reached by these pathogens, such as the bloodstream.
The CDC warned in its health advisory that, although rare, "these serious and invasive diseases are associated with high mortality rates and require immediate treatment, including appropriate antibiotic therapy."
According to the CDC, the peak of invasive strep A cases was first detected in the United States in November, among children at a Colorado hospital.
Subsequently, possible increases in cases were observed “in other states,” according to the statement.
A microbiologist holds up a blood agar plate showing beta-hemolysis caused by the pathogenic bacterium Streptococcus pyogenes. Rodolfo Parulan Jr. / Getty Images
Two young children in the Denver metropolitan area have died since November 1, according to the Colorado department of public health.
NBC News reported last week that several children's hospitals in the United States had detected an increase in invasive group A strep infections. At the time, the CDC warned that they were “hearing anecdotes from some American doctors about a possible increase in infections among children” and that they continued to “talk with surveillance centers and hospitals in various states to learn more.”
In its Thursday advisory, the agency noted that the rise in strep A infections is coming amid a rise in respiratory viruses, including RSV, influenza and COVID-19.
Nationwide on Wednesday, 74% of pediatric hospital beds were full, according to data from the Department of Health and Human Services.
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In some cases, children who develop severe strep A infections start out with a viral respiratory infection.
However, the overall number of invasive group A strep infections among children remains low and the condition is rare, according to the CDC.
Like other diseases, the risk of contracting strep A increases seasonally in all age groups, according to the CDC.
In general, people over the age of 65 and those with chronic illnesses are more susceptible to invasive strep infections.
Therefore, the CDC stressed the "importance of early recognition, diagnosis and appropriate treatment of these diseases in children and adults."
Invasive group A strep infections can trigger the following:
Lower respiratory tract infections such as pneumonia or empyema, which is characterized by the presence of pockets of pus in the fluid-filled space surrounding the lungs.
The first signs are fever, chills, shortness of breath, or chest pain.
Skin infections such as cellulitis or necrotizing fasciitis, also known as carnivorous disease.
Both involve red, hot, swollen, or painful rashes, although necrotizing fasciitis spreads rapidly and can develop into ulcers, blisters, or black spots.
Streptococcal toxic shock syndrome, an immune reaction that can lead to organ failure.
The condition usually begins with fever, chills, muscle aches, nausea, or vomiting, and then leads to rapid heartbeat or rapid breathing.
In England, at least 21 children have died from invasive group A strep since mid-September.
The UK Health Security Agency said in a statement on Thursday that 94 deaths across all age groups have been recorded in England.
The World Health Organization (WHO) stated last week that cases were also increasing in France, Ireland, the Netherlands and Sweden.
