Streptococcus cases detected in schools in the country were the reason for the operation of several units in northern Greece, Crete and Attica.

Indicatively, in Athens today do not operate the 1st and 5th Byron Kindergartens, housed on Kordeliou Street, “due to many outbreaks of streptococcus”, according to the announcement by the Municipality of Byron. The municipal authority assured that ‘For precautionary reasons will be disinfected in the school premises“

A different view of the management of the incidents is the President of the ERDY Christos Hadjichristodoulou, who, speaking to ERT, stressed that it is understandable “Municipalities and parents want to do something to protect their children, but they will not protect them. And they can even expose them. So she doesn’t have to close school, no disinfection is needed, she doesn’t benefit at all, she can do bad. Prayer: To stop closing schools and stop disinfectants. “

EDYY’s announcement

In a briefing issued by EDYY, he points out that “Group A streptococcus, also known as a pyogenic streptococcus or Gas (Group a Streptococcus) is a bacterium that can cause various infections to humans, usually mild but in rare cases very serious, even serious cases. A percentage of people carry the bacterium to their pharynx or skin without being ill, thus being healthy bacterium carriers. Group A streptococcus is transmitted with infected droplets from patient secretions, contact with infected patient skin lesions and contact with healthy bacterium carriers. Transmission becomes easier than people who are coincidental and are ill than by healthy carriers. “

By 2023, EDY adds, “Group A streptococcus was not included in the list of compulsory state -of -the -art diseases. In 2023, because there was an increase in the severe form of streptococci infection of the A/ penetrating form, a penetrating form recording system was created. It is noted that cases of an invasive infection by Group A (IGAS) have a high mortality reaching 25%. In 2023, 90 cases of Igas were recorded, in 2024 68 and to date, Monday 26/05/2025, 25 cases of Igas have been declared. That is, there is a relative reduction in recorded cases of Igas. At the same time, hundreds of cases of streptococcal infection (eg pharyngoamidalitis, leather infection, shells etc.) have been observed in the community throughout the country.

In the case of outbreaks of streptococcal infection in a school unit (mild or penetrating), the measures recommended by EDY are:

  • The child stays at home until he receives an appropriate antibiotic treatment, at least one to two 24 hours.
  • Apply enhanced individual hygiene measures, regular hand washing, avoiding use of other children (eg glasses, etc.).
  • Regular ventilation of the classrooms.
  • Strengthening the Regular Cleaning Program of the Hall.

Should not be done:

  • Disinfection of spaces and surfaces with special workshops
  • The school units and departments are not needed and should not be closed where cases of streptococcal infection were presented