Description and management measures for cases of invasive Group A streptococcal infections since 2015 and during the 2022–2023 national alert, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Introduction – In response to the resurgence of invasive group A streptococcal infections (IGASIs) in late 2022, healthcare professionals were encouraged to report all hospitalized IGASI cases to health authorities. The objective is to describe the cases of GAS-I reported in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes (ARA) since 2015 and the case management measures, with a focus on the period from late 2022 to early 2023. Materials and Methods – A retrospective descriptive study was conducted using GAS-SIS reports submitted to the ARA Regional Health Agency (ARS) over two periods: “before the alert” (January 1, 2015, to December 5, 2022) and “during the alert” (December 6, 2022, to March 2, 2023). Confirmed and probable cases were defined according to the 2005 opinion of the French High Council for Public Health. Results – A total of 181 cases of IISGA were reported, 66% of which occurred during the three-month alert period. Significant differences were observed during the alert (compared to before): varied reporting sources (vs. predominantly public health officers), reduced reporting time (4.8 days vs. 7.2 days), more frequent pleuropulmonary forms (vs. gynecological and obstetric infections), and recommendations for antibiotic prophylaxis (more frequent for contacts within the same household and less frequent for contacts outside the household). Conclusion – The 2022 alert raised awareness among healthcare professionals regarding the early reporting of SISGAs, enabling the rapid implementation of management measures. This study highlights the role of the ARS in implementing and coordinating public health measures. Although reporting of IISGA is not mandatory in France, efforts toward early reporting must continue in order to implement appropriate measures, particularly in communities and/or around clusters of cases.
Author(s): Marie Cécile, Boudalaa Zoubida, Wolska Monika, Sérange Éric, Ronnaux-Baron Anne-Sophie, Morel Bruno
Publishing year: 2024
Pages: 205-213
Weekly Epidemiological Bulletin, 2024, n° 10, p. 205-213
In relation to
Our latest news
news
2026 “Sexual Behavior” Survey (ERAS) for men who have sex with men
news
Hervé Maisonneuve has been appointed scientific integrity officer for a...
news