The cause of the bacterial disease, which has claimed nine lives, has yet to be determined
Officials in London, Ontario are stumped as a disease that can cause a loss of limbs and toxic has spread across the city.
Invasive Group A streptococcus (iGAS) has now killed nine people and sent nearly 30 to an intensive care unit over the past 18 months, reports the London Free Press
There have been more than 132 confirmed cases, around half of which consist of injection-drug users, homeless people, or people residing in shelters, according to the Middlesex-London Health Unit. The irregular lifestyles led by such individuals have made quarantining, testing, and treating other suspected victims difficult.
“We need a better understanding of what’s happening, which is why we’ve issued this alert,” said Gayane Hovhannisyan, associate medical officer of health.
Deepening the mystery is the fact that the disease isn’t limited to people living under risky or unstable conditions. Local health officials have sought help from experts at the US Centers for Disease Control, as well as others who have faced similar incidents in Toronto and Alaska. However, the London outbreak doesn’t match other incidents.
Group A streptococci often cause mild infections, like strep throat, but they can become deadly when they invade muscles, blood, and internal organs. Bacterial infections can spread through direct contact with secretions from an infected person’s nose or throat; contact with sores and contaminated wounds can also lead to infection.
The most serious symptoms are necrotizing fasciitis, a flesh-eating disease that can result in lost limbs or death; and toxic shock syndrome, a condition wherein toxins from the bacteria causes shock, kidney failure, and death.
While the risk for serious iGAS infection is low, health officials are advising the public to adopt numerous protective measures, including:
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Invasive Group A streptococcus (iGAS) has now killed nine people and sent nearly 30 to an intensive care unit over the past 18 months, reports the London Free Press
There have been more than 132 confirmed cases, around half of which consist of injection-drug users, homeless people, or people residing in shelters, according to the Middlesex-London Health Unit. The irregular lifestyles led by such individuals have made quarantining, testing, and treating other suspected victims difficult.
“We need a better understanding of what’s happening, which is why we’ve issued this alert,” said Gayane Hovhannisyan, associate medical officer of health.
Deepening the mystery is the fact that the disease isn’t limited to people living under risky or unstable conditions. Local health officials have sought help from experts at the US Centers for Disease Control, as well as others who have faced similar incidents in Toronto and Alaska. However, the London outbreak doesn’t match other incidents.
Group A streptococci often cause mild infections, like strep throat, but they can become deadly when they invade muscles, blood, and internal organs. Bacterial infections can spread through direct contact with secretions from an infected person’s nose or throat; contact with sores and contaminated wounds can also lead to infection.
The most serious symptoms are necrotizing fasciitis, a flesh-eating disease that can result in lost limbs or death; and toxic shock syndrome, a condition wherein toxins from the bacteria causes shock, kidney failure, and death.
While the risk for serious iGAS infection is low, health officials are advising the public to adopt numerous protective measures, including:
- Washing hands regularly, especially after coughing or sneezing
- Covering the mouth during a cough or a sneeze
- Not sharing drinking glasses, cups, water bottles, or eating utensils
- Not sharing drug paraphernalia
- Cleaning and disinfecting wounds
- Approaching a health professional immediately after getting in contact with someone who was recently infected by iGAS
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