An unusually high number of cases of invasive group A streptococci in children have been reported in Sweden in recent months. Compared to before the pandemic, the number of cases has doubled during the winter months and so far this year, two children have died from the infection. In children under ten years of age, 37 cases of invasive group A streptococcus have been reported in Sweden during the period October to February this year. During the same period four years ago, 16 cases were reported. In several other European countries, including Denmark, children have died from the infection. In the National Board of Health and Welfare’s cause of death register, there are no deaths among Swedish children who suffered during 2022 and 2023 registered yet, but in an interview with P4 Extra Anders Lindblom says that two children have died so far this year in Sweden. – This bacteria is usually completely harmless, the dangerous thing is when it spreads in the body, says Olof Hertting, pediatrician at Astrid Lindgren’s children’s hospital, to TV4 Nyheterna. See an interview with Olof Hertting in the clip above.
t4-general
Doubling of invasive streptococci – two Swedish children dead
