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You are Here: Home Page > 1997 Press Releases > Statement from State Health Commissioner Barbara A. DeBuono, M.D.  

Statement from State Health Commissioner Barbara A. DeBuono, M.D.

Albany, March 10 – The New York State Department of Health is taking an active role in investigating case reports of invasive Group A streptococcus infection in Monroe County and surrounding counties. A team of physicians and epidemiologists, including the Acting Director of the Bureau of Communicable Disease Control, are working to offer consultation and assist local health officials with their investigation.

Although infection with invasive Group A streptococcus is a serious health problem, the public should not be unnecessarily alarmed. Through the state's mandatory communicable disease reporting system, we continually monitor for outbreaks and clusters of invasive Group A strep. Of the several hundred cases reported to us during the past two years, none involved outbreaks or clusters. Invasive Group A strep usually is seen in sporadic, unrelated instances.

Group A streptococci are bacteria commonly found in the throat and on the skin. The vast majority of strep infections are relatively mild illnesses, such as strep throat and impetigo.

There were 386 cases of invasive Group A strep reported throughout New York State during 1996, or an average of 30 cases each month. The majority of cases occur in late winter and early spring. Of cases of invasive Group A strep reported annually, only a small number (five to 10 percent) involve the condition known as Necrotizing Fasciitis.

Health officials will determine whether any of the recent cases are related by identifying the strain of streptococcus bacteria present, and whether there were any common exposures. Streptococcal cultures from Monroe County and surrounding counties will be analyzed at the State Health Department's Wadsworth Center Laboratories through a process often referred to as DNA fingerprinting. As soon as they are available, laboratory results will be shared with the investigators on site. We expect to issue a report once the investigation is completed and the full facts are known.

3/10/97–23 OPA