Infection Prevention eBug Bytes December 2016

New strain of strep bacteria causes nearly 30 hospitalizations, 3 deaths in Alaska An outbreak of a newly detected strain of group A Streptococcus bacteria has hospitalized at least 28 people in Alaska since the strain was first detected in early 2016. Three of those infected have died due to other invasive disease. The new strain was first detected in Fairbanks in early 2016. Ten people were hospitalized with the infection there, one of whom died. No new infections have been reported in Fairbanks for several months. The strain was then identified in Anchorage in July, and an outbreak started in October. Eighteen people there have been hospitalized with the bacteria, two have died and two suspected cases are awaiting laboratory confirmation. Strep bacteria can cause a number of infections ranging from less-severe strep throat to toxic shock syndrome and necrotizing fasciitis, a fast-spreading bacterial skin infection that kills the body's soft tissue. Among the 18 people infected with this strain of the bacteria in Anchorage, six have developed necrotizing fasciitis, two have developed toxic shock syndrome and one developed cellulitis, a bacterial infection. That person lost an arm. The outbreak is largest of its kind since 2000, there are approximately 220 strains of group A strep. While new strains are not commonly identified, when they are, they are often associated with outbreaks due to low immunity. The elderly, very young and those with compromised immune systems tend to be more susceptible to group A strep infections. Additionally, Native Americans tend to be at higher risk for such infections. All three of the dead were Alaska Natives. Source: https://www.adn.com/alaska-news/health/2016/11/28/3-dead-this-year-as-outbreak-of-new-strep-bacteria-hits-alaska/

Children with confirmed cases of Acute Flaccid Myelitis up to 9 in Washington A cluster of children hospitalized in Washington this fall with laboratory confirmed acute flaccid myelitis (AFM), which is characterized by polio-like symptoms, has increased from eight to nine. AFM affects the spinal cord and incites limb weakness and paralysis. The CDC, in coordination with state and county health departments, is conducting an investigation into the AFM cluster. Health officials are interviewing the children's families and analyzing blood, sputum and stool samples to determine the cause of the condition. To date, no common factors between the children with AFM have been identified. The condition also appears to be on the upswing nationwide, with 89 cases reported from 33 states so far this year, up from 21 cases in 2015.AFM can be triggered by certain types of viruses that normally infect the respiratory tract. It has also been associated with West Nile virus, autoimmune diseases and environmental toxins. But for most cases in the U.S., a definitive cause has never been pinned down. Officials are interviewing all the families, using an extensive questionnaire. They have also analyzed blood, sputum and stool samples, which are then sent to the CDC for more extensive testing. All the testing is not complete, but there is no preliminary evidence to implicate any particular virus or chemical exposure.So far, no common factors have been identified among the affected children in Washington. Source: http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/health/9th-case-of-polio-like-illness-confirmed-in-washington/