Rare, deadly strep bacteria continues to spread in Alaska’s homeless population

Public health officials are still battling to confine a strain of group A Streptococcus bacteria that has been spreading throughout Alaska’s homeless population since October.

Advertisement

There have been seven to 10 severe strep cases per month since October, according Alaska Public Media, and 90 percent of them were in homeless people. Four people have died.

Sign up for our FREE E-Weekly for more coverage like this sent to your inbox

Public health workers are visiting shelters in Anchorage to distribute antibiotics to halt the spread of strep, according to the report.

“The main thing to keep in mind here is the risk in the general population is very low. Right now we’re still seeing it in the homeless population, and we’re taking as many steps as we can to try to control it there,” Emily Mosites, an epidemic intelligence service officer with the CDC in Anchorage, told Alaska Public Media.

More articles on outbreaks:
Controlling ‘superspreaders’ could be key to stopping epidemics, researchers say
Mumps reported at Penn State
CDC expands investigation of rat virus outbreak in humans

At the Becker's 11th Annual IT + Revenue Cycle Conference: The Future of AI & Digital Health, taking place September 14–17 in Chicago, healthcare executives and digital leaders from across the country will come together to explore how AI, interoperability, cybersecurity, and revenue cycle innovation are transforming care delivery, strengthening financial performance, and driving the next era of digital health. Apply for complimentary registration now.

Register to Attend Webinar

When nurses help build the AI, adoption follows: Lessons from 3 health systems

Tuesday, July 28
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM CDT

Presenters: Amy McCarthy, DNP, RNC-MNN, NE-BC, CENP, Hippocratic AIBeth Reimschissel, PhD, RN, CNL, Memorial HermannAllison Schlinkert, MSN, RN, NPD-BC, Cincinnati Children'sScott Estep, MBOE, BSN, RN, CSSBB, OhioHealth System

Advertisement

Next Up in Clinical Leadership & Infection Control

Advertisement

Comments are closed.