WHO: Increased invasive group A Streptococcus infection and scarlet fever in parts of Europe

On Dec. 15, the World Health Organization posted a report on the Disease Outbreak News section of their website that included the following:

“As of 8 December 2022, at least five Member States in the European Region, reported to WHO an increase in cases of invasive group A streptococcus (iGAS) disease and in some cases scarlet fever. An increase in iGAS-related deaths has also been reported in some of these countries. Children under 10 years of age represent the most affected age group.”

The five nations from which WHO provided data, including links to the respective national websites, are: France, Ireland, the Netherlands, Sweden and the U.K.

WHO stated that enhanced surveillance has been implemented in these five nations reporting increased iGAS. In addition, an alert has been issued to other nations for any increase in iGAS cases and to report any increase to WHO through the International Health Regulations as applicable under the IHR Annex 2 decision-making instrument.

WHO also emphasized the “increased risk of invasive disease among household contacts of scarlet fever and iGAS cases.”

According to a WHO report on Dec. 12, initial evidence suggests that there is no new strain or specific common strain that links these cases, nor is there any increase in antibiotic resistance.

Whether additional European nations, or non-European countries, report similar outbreaks in children under 10 years of age will be clear in the coming months.