PA Dept. Of Health Advisory – 12/16/22 – Possible Increases in Group A Streptococcal Infections
It is important for providers to recognize Group A Streptococcal (GAS) infections early, especially among patients at high risk for severe illness.
• Facilities with patients at high risk for severe disease, including long-term care should regularly review Pennsylvania Department of Health’s (DOH) recommendations and public health professional resources: Invasive Group A Streptococcus (iGAS) Toolkit.
• Consider obtaining culture for suspected invasive infection (iGAS), including cultures of abscesses, other infected sites, and blood cultures as clinically indicated.
• Review guidance from the American Academy of Pediatrics on alternative treatments due to an amoxicillin suspensions shortage in the U.S: Amoxicillin Shortage: Antibiotic Options for Common Pediatric Conditions.
• Laboratories should hold iGAS isolates obtained from children (<18 years of age) or send them to Pennsylvania’s state public health laboratory for temporary storage.
• Report cases of iGAS to DOH through Pennsylvania’s electronic disease surveillance system, PA-NEDSS.
• Notify DOH at 1-877-PA-HEALTH (1-877-724-3258) or your local health department as soon as possible about unusually aggressive iGAS infections among children or potential increases or clusters of iGAS infections.