The dangerous bacteria spreads through direct contact with nose, throat or wound secretions or respiratory droplets and cases of it doubled from 2013 to 2022
Cases of infections from a life-threatening bacteria more than doubled from 2013 to 2022 across the US, a new study found.
Invasive strep infections have infected more than 21,000 patients over the nine years, findings published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Monday in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
The study used data from people in more than 10 states. The findings showed overall incidences increased from 3.6 to 8.2 cases per 100,000 persons, and the number of infections grew by 1,082 in 2013 to 2,759 in 2022. Disturbingly, almost 2,000 deaths of the flesh-eating disease were recorded in the nine-year period.
Incidences were particularly high among people 65 years or older, American Indian or Alaska Native persons, residents of long-term care facilities, people experiencing homelessness, and drug users.
Rates of invasive strep had been stable for 17 years prior to the findings.
Growing rates of diabetes and obesity made some people more vulnerable to invasive strep, according to the study.
Severe and life-threatening infections caused by the Streptococcus pyogenes bacteria are called invasive Group A Strep Infections.
It spreads person-to-person through direct contact with nose, throat or wound secretions or via respiratory droplets.
The disease becomes “invasive” when the bacteria enters the blood or deep tissue, which can result in severe life-threatening illness.
Initial symptoms can include a high fever, severe aches and pain, sore muscles, dizziness and an intense red rash.
The Daily Star recently reported that there has been a worrying uptick in Tuberculosis (TB) cases, which caused the deadliest pandemic in history.
After more than ten years on the decline, TB infections are soaring in the UK. England saw 5,480 people struck down with TB last year, which is a whopping 13% jump from 2023.
This constitutes the biggest increase since the 1970s. TB is a contagious bacterial infection primarily affecting the lungs. It is caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis and spreads through airborne droplets.
The disease is treatable with antibiotics, but if it is ignored, it is extremely deadly. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is launching a call for evidence to inform a national action plan, declaring that “renewed action is necessary to keep rates below the defined low-incidence threshold of 10 cases per 100,000 population”.
For the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletter by clicking here.