Strep A cases rising: N.S. sisters sounding alarm after losing mother and stepfather on same day — what to know

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Two Nova Scotia sisters are speaking out about the devastating impact of invasive group A strep, a condition that led to the untimely deaths of their mother and stepfather — on the same day. They're calling for more awareness about the infection, and for a proactive approach.

According to Global News, it began when Ginny Killam began showing what appeared to be flu-like symptoms. She went to the doctor on Feb. 20 and was diagnosed with influenza. "She came home and went to bed to get rest," Sammi Ross recounted, but her mother's condition rapidly deteriorated. Just days later, Ginny was "grey," sweaty and clammy, and was hospitalized on Feb. 22, where she went into septic shock.

The situation escalated when Jeffery, Ginny's husband, also started showing symptoms shortly after she was hospitalized. Both were diagnosed with strep A at the hospital, and succumbed to the infection within hours of each other on Feb. 25.

"By Sunday morning at 10 a.m., our step-dad was coding, and they were losing mom," Meta said. "So within two hours, we lost them both."

The sisters believe that a more proactive approach could have saved their parents. "There should have been no waiting," Meta Ross said, suggesting that immediate antibiotic treatment for Jeffery might have altered the outcome.

This tragedy is set against the backdrop of a larger health concern in Nova Scotia, where the incidence of invasive group A strep is on the rise. Global News reported to date this year, 40 people in the province have been diagnosed with group A strep and 10 have died.

Canada has been seeing a record number of cases of invasive Group A strep for months. There were more than 4,600 cases confirmed in 2023 at the National Microbiology Laboratory in Winnipeg. It's an increase of 40 per cent compared to the previous record high in 2019, according to the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC).

But what signs should you be looking out for when it comes to iGAS, and when should you worry?

Two experts recently told Yahoo Canada Canadians don't need to "lose sleep" over the recent spike in invasive strep cases, but they should be informed. They added the spike could likely be due to the removal of COVID-19 pandemic restrictions and a lack of immunity in children.

Here's what you need to know.

What is invasive group A streptococcus (iGAS)?

Group A streptococcus (GAS) is a common bacterial infection that grows inside the nose, throat and sometimes on the skin. It most often affects children and seniors, but anyone can have it.

Toronto infectious disease specialist Dr. Anna Banerji said it often causes strep throat and sinus infections, and it can escalate and cause issues like ulcers.

But, if it goes into a person's bloodstream it can serious conditions, including meningitis and toxic shock syndrome — which could become fatal.

Group A streptococcus is common, and "is more severe than other types of streptococcus," Banerji told Yahoo Canada.

But the invasive type — one that enters the bloodstream — is less common and causing concern.

What are the symptoms of strep A?

Health Canada said symptoms of non-invasive Group A streptococcus (GAS) include:

• fever

• sore throat (pharyngitis)

• skin infections such as

  • impetigo (sores that can blister and develop a honey-colored crust)

  • erysipelas (raised, bright red infection of the skin)

• Scarlet fever (a rash that can feel rough like sandpaper)

Symptoms of invasive strep A (iGAS), however, are more severe and can look like:

• fever and shortness of breath due to pneumonia

• fever, severe pain and redness due to breakdown of the tissues under the skin

• fever, chills, muscle aches and nausea and vomiting

Why are we seeing a spike in invasive strep cases?

Banerji explained there are several reasons for the increasing case numbers of iGAS — including some "post-pandemic" behaviours.

"We were all practicing public health measures before with masking and strep, that's in the throat, is generally spread by droplets. If you use masking, then you reduce the spread," she said.

"In the fall, when the kids when back to school and took off their masks, a lot of viruses and bacteria spread."

But, Banerji said many kids also hadn't been exposed to strep previously because of the pandemic restrictions, and "didn't have a lot of immunity." That's why younger patients tend to have more severe strep.

The expert said while strep lives in the throat, any virus infection could cause strep symptoms to develop.

"Because we had a horrible viral season this fall, we also saw more strep than usual."

John McCormick, a professor of immunology and epidemiology at Western University, says research now shows about 10 per cent of children will carry strep in their throats without any problems.

"But sometimes it does," he said. In the "rare" case of invasive strep, the bacteria can become "quite dangerous."

Though case numbers are increasing, they're not high and "it happen to essentially anybody."

McCormick echoed Banerji in saying the lack of immunity in children is likely the reason behind the recent spike.

"When there's less transmission, there's less strep," he added.

What Canadians should know about invasive strep

Should the average person worry about the recent spike in invasive strep? McCormick said no, but added Canadians should stay informed.

"Mortality rates from invasive streptococcal disease ... can be quite high," he said. "That would obviously be the worst consequence."

However, other severe consequences can include the need to remove tissue and even amputation, according to McCormick.

"In general, people should not be really that worried," he said. "But they should just be ... using common sense."

McCormick said if your child is experiencing what looks like strep throat, they should see a health care professional and get diagnosed.

"If they have strep throat, (parents) probably shouldn't be sending their kids to school. If you have any kind of an open cut or sore, you should be using normal hygienic practices," he explained.

"If you have these types of symptoms, you shouldn't ignore them."

Banerji agreed.

"I don't think the average Canadian should lose sleep, cause we've just been through a major pandemic and it doesn't compare to (the strep increase)," she said.

"If you are sick, stay home because you don't want it to spread," Banerji advised. "The main thing is trying to reduce spread."

For those who are diagnosed, her advice is to "start the antibiotics early."

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