A dramatic surge in a killer infection strikes Aussie kids

Doctors are desperately testing vaccines against Step A, as a surge in cases strikes babies and young children.

Gursirat Kaur, 1, spent almost two months in intensive care earlier this year after contracting a Strep A infection. Picture: Supplied

Australia has experienced an intense and unseasonal surge in severe Strep A cases with infection rates tripling compared to pre pandemic levels.

And we are currently in the midst of a new danger period – the end of winter early spring- when cases typically shoot up.

Experts are calling for funding to develop a series of vaccine candidates that could protect against the disease.

Strep A which affects young children, the elderly, pregnant women and Indigenous Australians causes sore throats but also life threatening infections like school sores, scarlet fever, sepsis, toxic shock syndrome and flesh-eating disease.

Those recovering from these conditions can go on to develop post-infectious illnesses like acute rheumatic fever, rheumatic heart disease and kidney disease.

The bacteria kills more than 500,000 people globally every year, more than influenza, typhoid or whooping cough.

A new study by the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute found Strep A cases in Australia increased sharply from mid-2022 after a reduction during the pandemic in 2020 and 2021.

Cases jumped from 23 in 2020 to 107 by 2022.

From L to R Sodhi Singh (dad), Gursirat Deol, Sandeep Kaur (mum) and Gurshen Deol (brother). Gursirat, 1, spent almost two months in intensive care earlier this year after contracting a Strep A infection. Picture: Supplied

The rate among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children was twice that of non-indigenous children, the study published in The Lancet Regional Health - Western Pacific found.

The condition became a notifiable disease in July 2021 and the latest data shows 2,177 cases were recorded in the last year.

Cases have been rising in recent weeks with the latest data recording 152 cases in the fortnight ending July 23, this compares to just 44 cases in the same period last year.

Murdoch Children’s researcher Dr Yara-Natalie Abo said increases in Strep A cases have been reported around the world, occurring during, and outside of, typical spring peaks.

Reduced social contact during the pandemic may have impacted on children’s immunity to Strep A and more research is needed into whether new strains might be responsible, she said.

“Strep A most commonly causes mild symptoms like sore throat, but in some children it can cause life threatening sepsis which requires early recognition and treatment,” she said.

Gursirat Kaur, 1, spent almost two months in intensive care earlier this year after contracting a Strep A infection. Picture: Supplied

Sandeep Kaur’s one year old daughter, Gursirat, 1, spent almost two months in intensive care earlier this year after contracting a Strep A infection.

Three days into the infection her condition deteriorated rapidly. Her hands, lips and feet turned blue and her skin was discoloured,” Ms Kaur said.

The infant was admitted to hospital and she was diagnosed with kidney failure, a liver infection, and necrosis on seven of her fingertips, all linked to the Strep A infection.

“It was such a difficult time, our baby had drains in her leg, needed two operations and required dialysis for 12 days,” Ms Kaur said.

“Thankfully, her fingertips were saved but she is yet to fully recover. I hope that a vaccine can be made for Strep A so no other child has to endure this,” Mrs Kaur said.

Murdoch Children’s Professor Andrew Steer and his team are testing candidate Strep A vaccines developed by researchers in Australia and overseas.

The trials, in Melbourne will involve about 50 participants receiving a candidate vaccine or a dummy jab and having Strep A applied on their throats in a controlled environment.

“We hope this research will accelerate the development of a vaccine and move things forward to bigger field trials,” Professor Steer said.

“A vaccine for Strep A will save hundreds of thousands of lives every year and prevent millions of infections that send children and adults to the hospital or doctor,” he said.