<i>Notes from the Field:</i> Increase in Pediatric Invasive Group A <i>Streptococcus</i> Infections — Colorado and Minnesota, October–December 2022
Meghan E. Barnes, Erin M. Youngkin, Jennifer Zipprich, Kayla Bilski, Christopher J. Gregory, Samuel R. Dominguez, Erica Mumm, Melissa McMahon, Kathryn Como‐Sabetti, Ruth Lynfield, Sopio Chochua, Jennifer Onukwube, Melissa Arvay, Rachel Herlihy
Abstract
During fall 2022, a resurgence of invasive group A Streptococcus (iGAS) infection in children and adolescents was observed in two of CDC's Emerging Infections Program (EIP)* surveillance sites: Colorado (Denver metropolitan area) and Minnesota (entire state).This increase followed historic declines in invasive bacterial diseases during 2020, concurrent with mitigation strategies implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic (1).Whereas reports of iGAS increased among all age groups, including adults, the increase among children and adolescents was notable, occurred earlier than seasonal increases during previous years, and accompanied a resurgence in hospitalizations for respiratory viral illnesses such as respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and influenza.Viral infections, such as influenza and varicella, have been identified as risk factors for iGAS infection in children, adolescents, and adults (2) and can be reduced by vaccination.Surveillance for iGAS is conducted by 10 U.S. sites as part of EIP's Active Bacterial Core surveillance (ABCs). An analysis of cases among Colorado and Minnesota EIP site residents aged <18 years who met criteria for iGAS was conducted using ABCs data from the Colorado and Minnesota surveillance sites.Case counts, age distribution, and clinical characteristics of patients with iGAS infection were compared over three periods: baseline (January 1, 2016-December 31