An infectious diseases expert says lower-than-usual uptake of the flu vaccine in much of Canada may be partly responsible for high numbers of a bacterial infection that has been deadly in rare cases, especially among children. An electron microscope image shows Group A Streptococcus in orange. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-NIAID via AP
The latest annual data from the Public Health Agency of Canada reveals a concerning surge in bacterial infections, particularly deadly in rare cases and notably affecting children. As of January 9, the agency reported detecting over 4,600 samples with invasive Group A streptococcal infections, marking the highest annual number of such samples recorded.
The majority of increases were observed among children under 15 years old. Recent reports from the BC Centre for Disease Control and Public Health Ontario highlighted a notable rise in cases among individuals under 20, with six children under 10 reported dead by December 31.
Dr. Brian Conway from the Vancouver Infectious Diseases Centre attributed the increased risk of these infections, known as iGAS, to individuals already sick with influenza or respiratory illnesses.
Low vaccination rates for flu and COVID-19 are believed to contribute to the rising cases. Conway emphasized the importance of effective vaccine messaging and urged the reinforcement of vaccination campaigns.
According to the latest national vaccination survey by PHAC, approximately 44.4% of the 12,000 surveyed adults received a flu shot during the 2022-23 influenza season. The survey revealed a shortfall in achieving the 80% vaccination coverage goal for adults aged 18 to 64 with chronic health conditions.
Additionally, less than 15% of the population received the latest COVID-19 vaccine targeting the XBB variant.
Group A streptococcus typically causes throat and skin infections but can lead to severe conditions, including sepsis and heart infections, and can be fatal, especially for individuals with chronic conditions.
Dr. Anna Banerji, a pediatric infectious disease specialist, emphasized that while the anxiety is real, the disease is extremely rare. Banerji suggested preventive measures learned from the COVID-19 pandemic, such as practicing good hygiene and getting the flu and COVID vaccines, to reduce the risk of infections. She recommended seeking medical attention for a child with strep throat symptoms, particularly if they experience difficulty breathing or excessive sleepiness.
