Invasive group A strep is spreading in Canadian communities, sending some to hospital.
The bacteria that most commonly cause strep throat can lead to serious infections or even death if left untreated. People have reported varying symptoms of invasive group A streptococcus, including flesh-eating disease sores, sore necks, and stiff joints, among others.
The cases were so serious that they required hospitalization for streptococcal A infection, and in some cases people died as a result of their infection.
As of January 9, the Public Health Agency of Canada had received more than 4,600 samples of invasive group A streptococcus from 2023, marking a record year.
A report from Public Health Ontario found this to be the case 715 hospitalizations and 104 deaths between October and December from Strep A.
To get a full picture of the situation, CTVNews.ca wants to know what this wave of Strep A looks like among people who work in healthcare.
Are you seeing an increase in patient numbers? How is the healthcare system dealing with the influx of streptococcus A?
What common symptoms do patients experience and have you dealt with extreme cases?
What’s it like working in healthcare while dealing with the strep A wave?
Share your story by emailing CTVNews.ca journalist Natasha O’Neill and including your name, location and phone number in case of follow-up.
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