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Strep A on the rise in Australia

Strep A is a bacterial infection that causes 616 million sore throats and 500,000 deaths globally each year. In recent months, there has been an increase in the number of severe cases in a number of countries, including Australia. In this month’s blog, we take a closer look at the symptoms and best ways to prevent the spread of Strep A.

What is Strep A?

Streptococcus A, or Strep A for short, is a bacteria also known as Streptococcus pyogenes. This bacteria is often responsible for mild infections, such as pharyngitis (better known as sore throat or strep throat), tonsillitis, scarlet fever, and impetigo (commonly known as skin sores).

Infections are highly contagious and are usually passed directly from person to person through talking, coughing or sneezing. Strep A is very common in school-age children, with one in 10 children having the bacteria in their throats at any one time.

When left untreated, it can result in severe disease which can cause heart and kidney failure. One of the most severe diseases to result from Strep A is rheumatic heart disease, which involves damage to one or more of the four small heart valves and can often require heart surgery in more severe cases. Australia has one of the highest rates of rheumatic heart disease in the world, with Indigenous Australians most affected.

Strep A can become life threatening very quickly if the bacteria invade the body’s blood stream, muscles or lungs. This video from the Telethon Kids Institute shows just how quickly that can occur>> 

Strep A in Australia

In recent months, there has been a large increase in the number of invasive Strep A cases seen in Australia, as shown below.

Already in 2023, there have been 262 cases recorded in Australia, including 27 cases in Western Australia.

What are the symptoms of Strep A?

The common symptoms of a Strep A infection include:

  • sore, red throat and tonsils;
  • pain when swallowing;
  • fever;
  • chills;
  • headache;
  • muscle aches and pains;
  • feeling tired;
  • swollen, tender lymph nodes in the neck; and
  • loss of appetite.

Signs of the more severe form of the disease can include:

  • fever or chills;
  • dizziness;
  • shortness of breath;
  • a stiff neck;
  • nausea and vomiting;
  • a red skin infection or red, warm painful area around a wound site; and
  • abdominal pain, severe limb pain or muscle pain.

The standard treatment for Strep A infection is a course of antibiotics.

If you do have any signs and symptoms of Strep A, please seek urgent medical toto jitu advice, as the disease can develop and become life threatening very quickly.

Who is most at risk?

Anyone can develop a Strep A infection; however, some groups are at a higher risk, including:

  • children under five years of age;
  • people aged 65 years and over;
  • those with poor access to hygiene facilities;
  • people who live or spend time in crowded conditions;
  • people with weak immune systems or chronic illnesses; and
  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Can Strep A be prevented?

The best way to help prevent the spread of Strep A is to practice good hygiene, such as:

  • avoiding close contact with other people until you feel well;
  • using tissues when you cough and dispose of them carefully and straight away;
  • washing your hands regularly and thoroughly, especially after you cough and before touching food, dishes, glasses, eating utensils etc.;
  • not sharing food, drinking cups, eating utensils or hand towels with others;
  • not preparing food for others if you are unwell; and
  • staying home from day care, school or work until you are no longer contagious.

Unfortunately, there is no vaccine currently available to help prevent Strep A. However, the Australia Strep A Vaccine Initiative (ASAVI), led by researchers from the Telethon Kids Institute and Murdoch Children’s Research Institute (MCRI), is currently looking at sore throats in children, as an important first step towards a vaccine for Strep A.

About the ASAVI Sore Throat Study

The ASAVI Sore Throat Study is open to children aged 3-14 years old and will help researchers learn more about:

  • how many children get sore throats;
  • what is the most common cause of sore throat in children;
  • how sore throats can change during the different seasons of the year; and
  • how a vaccine could be used to prevent sore throats caused by Strep A bacteria.

Children taking part in the study will have their health monitored for 12 months. The study uses cutting edge technology to diagnose sore throats, so that the best possible treatment can be provided.

If you and your child would like to take part, register your interest at https://www.asavi.org.au/get-involved/sore-throat-study/ 

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