Officials with The Epidemiology Department of the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires (CABA) issued a statement indicating that from Aug 26 through Sep 9, five cases of invasive disease due to Streptococcus pyogenes, or Group A streptococcus (GAS)  were reported in the city and province.

Group-A Streptococcus (GAS)/CDC
Group-A Streptococcus (GAS)/CDC

Two patients died, one resident of CABA and one of the province of Buenos Aires who presented septic shock and pneumonia with effusion with poor evolution, respectively. The germ was isolated in blood cultures in the first case and in culture of pleural fluid in the second.

The other 3 cases presented severe symptoms, which required their transfer to the Intensive Care Unit, but at the time of this report they are interned in the pediatric ward.

Two of the cases presented septic shock and pneumonia with effusion.

According to the CDC, GAS are bacteria that can live in a person’s nose and throat. The bacteria are spread through contact with droplets from an infected person’s cough or sneeze. It is also possible for group A strep to spread from contact with sores from a group A strep skin infection.

Most group A strep infections are relatively mild illnesses such as strep throat, scarlet fever, and impetigo (a skin infection).

Serious, sometimes life-threatening, group A strep disease may occur when bacteria get into parts of the body where bacteria usually are not found, such as the blood, muscle, or the lungs. These infections are termed “invasive group A strep disease.” Two of the most serious, but least common, forms of invasive group A strep disease are necrotizing fasciitis and streptococcal toxic shock syndrome.