Six children in Ontario under 10-years-old who had contracted strep have died

Public Health Ontario says six children under the age of 10 have died after contracting Invasive Group A strep in the last three months.

The province released a report showing an alarming trend, surpassing averages over the last decade.

The provincial data shows from Oct. 1 to Dec. 31 of last year, 504 cases of Invasive Group A strep were reported, more than doubling the infections at the last peak of cases in the previous spring season.

Invasive Group A strep infection is when common strep bacteria invade other parts of the body besides the throat and skin, which can cause hospitalization and potentially death.

The health agency says at least 48 people have died after becoming infected, which include two children between five and nine years old, three between one and four, and one infant under a year.

The Public Health Agency of Canada echoes similar data, saying there have been a record number of bacterial infections this year as well.

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Doctors believe other illnesses and lower vaccine intake are likely contributing factors but more data is needed.

“It is difficult to see those deaths among children, but in context it’s really showing that it’s a result of more cases, not just in adults, but in more children as well,” Dr. Liane MacDonald from Public Health Ontario said.

“We’re certainly looking at more data and the strains of bacteria that is causing invasive group a strep.”

McMaster’s pediatric infectious disease specialist Dr. Jacqueline Wong urges everyone to take basic sanitary precautions and get your flu shots.

She also says to go see a doctor and get tested as Invasive Group A strep could mimic symptoms of other infections.

“Group A strep or Invasive Group A strep can sometimes show in the form that is concurrent with other viral infections so as a matter of public health measures, take those precautions to decrease those virus’ people are getting right now, things like influenza that’s circulating right now,” Wong said.