Canada Saw Record Numbers Of An Invasive Disease Last Year & No Wonder So Many Got Sick

If it felt like you and a bunch of people you know were getting sick around the end of last year, we finally have some data that might explain what was going on.

In the final months of 2023, 48 people died from Invasive Group A Streptococcal Disease (iGAS) in Ontario and the number of cases of hospitalization almost doubled from what they were at the same time last year, according to Public Health Ontario.

The data from the provincial report shows that 540 people were hospitalized for the disease from October 2023 to December 2023 and of the 48 fatalities reported, 23 of those were in people aged 65 or older and six children under the age of nine.

According to Public Health Ontario, regular Group A Strep (GAS) disease is spread via person-to-person contact, but in rare cases, it becomes invasive (iGAS) when the bacteria enters the blood or deep tissue, which can result in severe life-threatening illness.

"The number of iGAS cases reported in December 2023 surpassed the 204 cases reported in May 2023, the peak of the 2022-23 season, and is the highest monthly case count reported to date since the 2014-15 season," says the report. "The number of cases in those under 18 years of age more than doubled in December compared to November."

According to data obtained by CBC News, Canada saw a record number of cases of iGAS with over 4,600 cases of the disease confirmed in 2023, which is an increase of over 40% of the previous yearly high.

To limit the spread of disease, the government advises that you wash your hands, particularly before eating, before preparing food and after coughing and sneezing.

"To protect others, you should cough or sneeze into the bend of your arm, not your hand," says PHAC. "You can also use tissues, but throw them away as soon as you use them."

Stay safe, everyone!

This article's cover image was used for illustrative purposes only.