HEALTH ALERT ISSUED AFTER STREPTOCOCCUS OUTBREAK CLAIMS 9 LIVES IN LONDON AREA
Nov 27, 2017
By Bob Komsic
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The alert comes more than 18 months ago and the Middlesex-London Health Unit says over 132 cases of infection have been reported since April last year.
About half have been among injection drug users and/or those without access to stable housing.
The associate medical officer of health says the alert’s been issued because officials are seeing an increase in streptococcus infections among those who don’t fit the profile.
While the infections can happen at any time, there tends to be more during the winter.
Most cause relatively mild illnesses like strep throat, but sometimes are more serious and potentially life-threatening.
Health officials advise regular handwashing, covering the mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, avoid sharing drinking and eating utensils.