Filenews 12 December 2022
The Minister of Health, Michalis Hatzipantelas, had a meeting with the Paediatric Society today, during which the issue of the streptococcus outbreak in Europe, which is beyond the expected levels and has caused serious concern around the world, was discussed.
The following measures were decided at today's meeting:
1) Instructions - recommendations will be sent to Paediatricians by HIO and PIS.
2) Efforts are underway to secure a quantity of strep tests, where they will be made available free of charge to paediatricians.
3) With a proposal to the Council of Ministers, a cap will be set for a maximum charge of €5 for the conduct of a strep test.
4) Weekly review to record infections.
Group A streptococcus (GAS) is a common that many carry on their neck and skin without showing symptoms of infection (healthy carriers). However, this pathogenic bacterium can cause in some cases infection, mild or even more severe such as tonsillitis, pharyngitis, scarlet fever and impetigo.
Severe infections associated with streptococcus originate from the invasive group A streptococcus (iGAS). These infections are caused when bacteria are transported to parts of the body where they are not normally detected, such as in the lungs or elsewhere through the bloodstream.
Streptococcus infection is especially common in children aged 5 to 15 years, although it can manifest itself in younger children and adults.
