Outbreaks and Public Health Response

Local or state public health officials may investigate clusters or outbreaks of invasive group A Streptococcus (group A strep) infections. The most common clusters investigated in the United States are those occurring in long-term care facilities. Other types of outbreak investigations include clusters of pharyngitis (strep throat) among school-aged children, healthcare-associated infections such as postpartum and post-surgical infections, and, rarely, foodborne outbreaks of pharyngitis. In these clusters, urgent public health action is often indicated.

Group A Strep Calculator

It can be difficult to determine the number of invasive group A strep disease cases that might be expected in any given area during a certain time period. CDC developed the Group A Strep Calculator to help local and state health public health officials determine if the number of invasive group A strep cases seen locally are greater than what would be expected. The calculator estimates the average number of invasive group A strep cases expected during a one month period in a region with given population characteristics and compares locally observed rates to this expected rate. Learn more about the Group A Strep Calculator.

Outbreak Control Measures

Vaccination

There is currently no vaccine to prevent group A strep infections, although several vaccines are in development.

Prophylaxis

Giving antibiotics (medicines that kill bacteria in the body) to someone to prevent them from getting sick is known as prophylaxis (pro-fuh-lak-sis). Most people who are exposed to someone with a group A strep infection should not receive prophylaxis. However, in some situations, prophylaxis may be recommended for someone who is exposed to someone with an invasive group A strep infection (i.e., necrotizing fasciitis, streptococcal toxic shock syndrome). That decision should be made after talking with your doctor.