Role of occupational health staff in investigation of invasive group A streptococcal infection hospital outbreak

Abstract

Healthcare workers (HCWs) are commonly implicated as index cases during investigation of invasive group A streptococcus (GAS) hospital outbreaks. Staff screening may be needed but guidelines on implementation vary. We conducted an analysis to find common exposures in patients infected with a rare type of GAS and staff were asked to self-screen. Swabs were negative, but as the outbreak continued, specific HCWs were asked to attend the occupational health department. The index case was then identified as having a skin disorder infected with same rare GAS. We describe the importance of occupational health clinical review of HCWs during an outbreak.