Three children died of streptococcus, in our country, two of whom were 6 years old and one 19 months old, on February 10 and 24 and March 23, respectively.

The sad fact was confirmed today by EODY after related publications that reported the deaths of young children from hemolytic streptococcus group A (GAS).

In his announcement, he claims that he did not provide information because, as he claims, “the publication of individual cases resulting from infection with infectious diseases is not a public health practice unless it is aimed at information and a specific recommendation to the population. In addition, by reporting individual incidents there is a risk of publicizing the families’ personal data.”

See the EODY announcement in detail

The National Public Health Organization is located in constant communication with ECDC, and in case of issuing instructions or recommendations to public health authorities will immediately inform the public and the medical community. At the same time, the systematic declaration to the ECDC will continue for as long as the enhanced surveillance of serious iGAS infections at the European level lasts. The data for Greece, as well as for the other European countries, are published weekly by the ECDC and are publicly available.

Group A β-haemolytic streptococcus (GAS) is a common bacterium that some people carry on their throats and skin without showing symptoms of infection (carriers). The particular pathogen can cause in some cases infection, mild or more severe. In rare cases when it enters parts of the body that are normally sterile of bacteria, it causes severe invasive infection (iGAS) that leads to hospitalization or even death more rarely.

The individual cases of infection are not monitored, as there are no specific prevention measures or public health interventions in case of outbreaks. The infection is treated by administering antimicrobial therapy.

In our country, pediatricians are properly trained to clinically suspect the diagnosis of streptococcal infection, there is widely available laboratory diagnosis in the community with low-cost rapid tests (strep test) and hospitals often deal with such infections.

The statement at ECDC of serious cases of the infection in children leading to death was called for this year for the first time due to the increased number of cases in the UK and other European countries. Currently, is being investigated whether the occurrence of recorded cases is in the context of the usual activity of the pathogen and increased laboratory investigation after the pandemic, since in most countries there are no records of serious cases of group A beta-haemolytic streptococci (GAS) infection in previous years.

EODY, after receiving the relevant information from ECDC, informed the country’s hospitals, as well as the public health directorates, about the information available so far.

The publication of individual casesn that result after contracting an infectious disease is not a public health practice unless it is aimed at informing and specific recommendation to the population. In addition, reporting individual incidents carries the risk of disclosing the families’ personal data.

Therefore, based on the fact that there is no public health measure or specific recommendations for the public at this time beyond the basic recommendation to follow hygiene rules and contact a pediatrician that applies to all respiratory infections, the communication of individual serious infections is not considered appropriate.

Nevertheless, we confirm that three deaths have been recorded in the country involving two 6-year-old children and a 19-month-old child with no epidemiological link between them. The deaths were recorded on 10/02/2023, 24/02/2023 and 23/03/2023, respectively.

EODY is in constant communication with ECDC, and in case of issuing instructions or recommendations to public health authorities, it will immediately inform the public and the medical community. At the same time, the systematic declaration to the ECDC will continue for as long as the enhanced surveillance of serious iGAS infections at the European level lasts. The data for Greece, as well as for the other European countries, are published weekly by the ECDC and are publicly available.