Strep epidemic in the country: how is the situation in Bahia

The country’s health ministry reported this week that there has been an increase in cases of invasive infections caused by bacteria in the country Streptococcus pyogenes or group A Streptococcus, which is a major cause of acute pharyngitis and some skin infections, including scarlet fever.

According to statistics from Argentina’s National Health Surveillance System (SNVS), as of official information updated on November 6, Argentina has reported a total of 487 cases this year, including 78 deaths, with most of the patients under the age of 16.

The epidemiological report of the portfolio led by Carla Vizzotti warns of possible outbreaks in certain areas of the national territory, but what does the panorama of Puerto Blanca look like?

They assured the I Health District The new one. It is understood that there have been no cases of acute infection caused by Streptococcus pyogenes in our city recently.

As they explain, this bacterium “was found to be a common flora of our body, that is, its presence does not produce any type of symptoms.”

The provincial health agency clarified that the bacterium is the same bacteria that causes the most common form of pharyngitis, primarily bacterial angina, and can also cause wound infections anywhere on the body.

The national health ministry’s warning comes because the bacteria may appear in a third way: invasive disease, which is the most dangerous and has killed dozens of people in the country.

Despite this situation, “the cases in Puerto Blanca are normal pharyngitis and wound infections,” health district authorities said.

“We have seen some cases in Bahia and in the wound invasion area, but not this year,” they clarified.

On the other hand, the city’s hospital infection department said it was reassuring that “we have not seen a significant increase” in infections caused by this bacteria.

They noted that the last patient with illness caused by this strep bacteria was treated in the pediatric area “two months ago.”

Argentina outbreak

Although our city is far from an outbreak of complications, the epidemic has accelerated in some parts of the country in recent days.

At the beginning of July, 118 cases of invasive infections with this pathogen had been recorded, including 16 deaths, which is a high number considering that only 75 infections have been recorded in all of 2022.

Salta’s Ministry of Health subsequently released the latest data, warning in the third week of October that the epidemic was accelerating. At the time, national SNVS data showed 64 deaths among a total of 382 cases.

Following this, on Tuesday this week, the portfolio led by Carla Vizzotti issued a statement on the epidemiological situation of Streptococcus pyogenes in Argentina, with updated information as of November 6: 487 cases and 78 deaths.

The official epidemiological report states: “Health teams have identified a higher incidence of invasive disease caused by this pathogen, including deaths reflected in the notification.”

If you compare current figures with last year, the number of infections has increased more than sixfold. In addition, the number of cases has accelerated in the past two weeks: between July and the end of October, the number of cases increased at a rate of one every two days, while in the past 15 days, the number of cases was seven per day.

explanation of phenomenon

There are two possible reasons for this: on the one hand, a more virulent strain of the bacteria is actually spreading, producing more severe symptoms; on the other hand, these cases are also better documented.

In the middle of this year, a genetic study by the Malbran Institute identified a “highly virulent clone” of the pathogen in the country for the first time. That is, S. pyogenes strains are more likely to cause invasive infections.

Precisely, it was between the last week of June and the last week of July that “we were alerted about the detection of the M1UK clone in Argentina and found seven cases with the M1 sublineage, which acquired Mobile genetic element encoding a superantigenic toxin SpeC that is distinct from the emerging strains M1UK (UK) and M1DK (Denmark),” details the official information.

He added: “The detection of highly virulent clones for the first time in Argentina, which have already been registered in other countries, could partly explain the higher morbidity and mortality, but for this more evidence is necessary, which is providing National team and provincial team work.”

In addition to the detection of these more acute mutations, another factor influencing the increase in cases and deaths in the country is that registration has become more precise this year, as an agenda emphasizing tracking of pathogens is implemented from December 2022.

“While the event could previously be notified in the national surveillance system, these actions aim to standardize the surveillance and notification of Streptococcus pyogenes invasive disease, raise awareness among health teams and in the epidemiological and laboratory fields, explains the systematic surveillance System development. Registries across the country,” the health department said.

Due to the increase in patients with invasive diseases in Europe, Uruguay, the United States, and parts of my country, Salud issued an alert in December 2022 to include Streptococcus pyogenes into national mandatory notification events. Additionally, “the purpose of the enhanced surveillance program is to help understand the reasons for changes in epidemiological patterns of event occurrence.”

How to act on symptoms

Experts agree that this condition should not be a cause for panic, as the disease can be cured with appropriate treatment, usually with the most common antibiotics.

Streptococcus pyogenes is spread through close contact. Therefore, while experiencing symptoms, it is recommended to avoid public places and limit exposure at home.

This bacterium can cause acute pharyngitis and other skin infections such as scarlet fever, impetigo, and infectious cellulitis.

According to the Ministry of Health, it is important to avoid self-medicating and see a doctor if you develop any symptoms.

Symptoms of pharyngitis are usually sore throat, fever, headache, abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. In addition, there is redness of the pharynx and tonsils, bad breath, and swollen lymph nodes in the neck.

As for scarlet fever, the most common symptoms are redness and sore throat; fever (38.3°C or higher); red rash with a sandpaper texture; dark red skin in the armpits, elbows, and groin folds; tongue or back of throat White moss; “raspberry” tongue; headache; nausea or vomiting; swollen glands; body aches.

“It is true that when antibiotic treatment is medically indicated, the treatment regimen must be completed (adhering to the prescribed dose and schedule and not shortening or abandoning treatment prematurely), as inappropriate antibiotic use promotes bacterial resistance. Threaten its future effectiveness,” the ministry said.

In addition, it is recommended to wash hands frequently, not share personal items (cutlery, glasses, towels, etc.) and to provide regular and adequate ventilation.