The bacterium Streptococcus pyogenes, allegedly linked to the deaths of three children in São João Del-Rei, 188 km from Belo Horizonte, is transmitted through contact with secretions from infected people, as experts explain. The city hall sent samples from two of the victims for tests at Funed (Fundação Ezequiel Dias), which will indicate whether the infection actually caused the deaths.
“Infections are more common in spring and summer. Transmission is through close contact. Children can transmit it between themselves, more through social interaction and through the droplets that come out of their mouths, which they breathe and cough”, detailed infectious disease specialist Adelino Melo.
The expert emphasizes that the bacteria is “very common”, especially among children. Melo explains that part of the population has Streptococcus pyogenes without developing symptoms.
Among the main signs of contamination are sore throat and tonsillitis. The public authorities guide the search for health units in these cases. Adelino Melo’s suggestion is that those infected avoid contact with other people.
“It is an infection that can be treated. You need to give antibiotics to treat these children, but generally the bacteria do not have serious complications. The main complication is subsequent to the occurrence of a sore throat. We have rheumatological complications, in what we call rheumatic fever. The body ends up generating an immunological reaction that can affect the joints and heart. Another possible complication is kidney changes,” details the doctor.
Asked about the chances of the bacteria being linked to the deaths of children in São João Del-Rei, the infectious disease specialist said that caution must be exercised.
“We need to have more information to clearly define whether these deaths are related to a serious Streptococcus infection or whether it is a confounding factor. There are several potentially serious bacteria that cause school outbreaks.”he commented.
According to the city’s Health Secretary, the tests sent to Funed must be completed within 15 days.
When contacted, the State Department of Health reported that it is monitoring the case. The ministry said it will train the city’s doctors to raise awareness about the detection and treatment of suspected cases of infection.
“The State Department of Health of Minas Gerais (SES-MG) informs that there are no criteria that prove an outbreak or risk to the health of the population of São João Del Rei, as well as no epidemiological evidence that justifies the change in the routine of activities”, highlighted.
“In cases of symptoms such as fever, sore throat, among others, the advice is to seek a Basic Health Unit for appropriate treatment”completed the folder in a statement.
Historic
According to a technical note from São João Del-Rei City Hall, on September 24th the first suspicious death was recorded in the city, in Santa Casa. This is a 10 year old child. The death certificate indicates sepsis due to Streptococcus pyogenes. There was no collection of material for laboratory confirmation.
On October 2, a 9-year-old girl was hospitalized and underwent an examination that detected the same bacteria. The material was sent to Funed, which confirmed the contamination. The child was hospitalized until the 18th, was discharged and is now at home.
On the 8th, the second death was recorded. The 3-year-old child is from São João Del-Rei, but died in the state of Maranhão. The results of the autopsy examination have not yet been ready.
On October 23rd, the death of a 10-year-old girl was reported. She was admitted to the UPA (Emergency Care Unit) and was transferred to Santa Casa.
According to the city hall, there is still no laboratory confirmation linking the bacteria to the deaths of the three children. Four other children are hospitalized with the same symptoms. They are monitored by the city’s Health Surveillance.
Even so, the city council decided to suspend classes from this Wednesday (25th), to carry out pest control in the municipality’s educational institutions. Activities will resume on November 6th.
The municipality also announced the purchase of 4,500 rapid tests to detect the bacteria and the increase in the number of doctors in the UPAs.
The bacterium Streptococcus pyogenes, allegedly linked to the deaths of three children in São João Del-Rei, 188 km from Belo Horizonte, is transmitted through contact with secretions from infected people, as experts explain. The city hall sent samples from two of the victims for tests at Funed (Fundação Ezequiel Dias), which will indicate whether the infection actually caused the deaths.
“Infections are more common in spring and summer. Transmission is through close contact. Children can transmit it between themselves, more through social interaction and through the droplets that come out of their mouths, which they breathe and cough”, detailed infectious disease specialist Adelino Melo.
The expert emphasizes that the bacteria is “very common”, especially among children. Melo explains that part of the population has Streptococcus pyogenes without developing symptoms.
Among the main signs of contamination are sore throat and tonsillitis. The public authorities guide the search for health units in these cases. Adelino Melo’s suggestion is that those infected avoid contact with other people.
“It is an infection that can be treated. You need to give antibiotics to treat these children, but generally the bacteria do not have serious complications. The main complication is subsequent to the occurrence of a sore throat. We have rheumatological complications, in what we call rheumatic fever. The body ends up generating an immunological reaction that can affect the joints and heart. Another possible complication is kidney changes,” details the doctor.
Asked about the chances of the bacteria being linked to the deaths of children in São João Del-Rei, the infectious disease specialist said that caution must be exercised.
“We need to have more information to clearly define whether these deaths are related to a serious Streptococcus infection or whether it is a confounding factor. There are several potentially serious bacteria that cause school outbreaks.”he commented.
According to the city’s Health Secretary, the tests sent to Funed must be completed within 15 days.
When contacted, the State Department of Health reported that it is monitoring the case. The ministry said it will train the city’s doctors to raise awareness about the detection and treatment of suspected cases of infection.
“The State Department of Health of Minas Gerais (SES-MG) informs that there are no criteria that prove an outbreak or risk to the health of the population of São João Del Rei, as well as no epidemiological evidence that justifies the change in the routine of activities”, highlighted.
“In cases of symptoms such as fever, sore throat, among others, the advice is to seek a Basic Health Unit for appropriate treatment”completed the folder in a statement.
Historic
According to a technical note from São João Del-Rei City Hall, on September 24th the first suspicious death was recorded in the city, in Santa Casa. This is a 10 year old child. The death certificate indicates sepsis due to Streptococcus pyogenes. There was no collection of material for laboratory confirmation.
On October 2, a 9-year-old girl was hospitalized and underwent an examination that detected the same bacteria. The material was sent to Funed, which confirmed the contamination. The child was hospitalized until the 18th, was discharged and is now at home.
On the 8th, the second death was recorded. The 3-year-old child is from São João Del-Rei, but died in the state of Maranhão. The results of the autopsy examination have not yet been ready.
On October 23rd, the death of a 10-year-old girl was reported. She was admitted to the UPA (Emergency Care Unit) and was transferred to Santa Casa.
According to the city hall, there is still no laboratory confirmation linking the bacteria to the deaths of the three children. Four other children are hospitalized with the same symptoms. They are monitored by the city’s Health Surveillance.
Even so, the city council decided to suspend classes from this Wednesday (25th), to carry out pest control in the municipality’s educational institutions. Activities will resume on November 6th.
The municipality also announced the purchase of 4,500 rapid tests to detect the bacteria and the increase in the number of doctors in the UPAs.
