What to know
- Presentation Day/Time: Friday, April 25, 10:55 am–12:20 pm
- Presenter: Victoria Balta, PhD, MPH, EIS officer assigned to the National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Division of Infectious Disease Readiness and Innovation
What did we do?
- In response to anecdotal clinician reports, we evaluated whether an increase in invasive group A Streptococcusal (GAS) disease occurred in Alaska during 2024 and compared changes among subpopulations.
What did we find?
- During January–June 2024, 145 invasive GAS cases were reported in Alaska, compared with an average of 76 cases during January–June of 2016–2023.
- There was a significant increase across all age groups and localities in Alaska, however, the increase was most notable among people aged ≥60 years and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander people.
- Certain underlying medical conditions such as diabetes, chronic renal failure, and undergoing kidney dialysis increased among cases while certain risk factors decreased in 2024.
- Emm type 1 isolates increased from 6% during 2016–2023 to 23% during 2024, and emm type 53 isolates increased from <1% to 29% during 2024.
Why does it matter?
• An increase in invasive GAS disease occurred in Alaska during early 2024, especially among certain subpopulations, and appeared to be associated with rise of emm type 1 and the emergence of emm type 53 in the state.
• These preliminary data require further investigation to elucidate factors associated with the increase of invasive GAS disease and develop suitable public health interventions.
Abstract Category: Group A Strep