National enhanced surveillance of severe group A streptococcal disease

Enhanced surveillance of severe group A streptococcal infections was launched in February 2009 following increases in numbers of cases identified in several parts of the country. This enhanced surveillance was discontinued in January 2010.

The aim of the surveillance was to identify any changes in the epidemiology of these infections in terms of clinical presentations, risk factors, severity and clustering patterns which might provide new opportunities for prevention.  Microbiologists and local health protection staff were asked to complete surveillance questionnaires for all cases identified during 2009. Detailed epidemiological analyses are currently being undertaken on the enhanced surveillance data.

National enhanced surveillance of severe group A streptococcal disease: Protocol (PDF, 289 KB)
National enhanced surveillance of severe group A streptococcal disease: Questionnaire (PDF, 36 KB)
National enhanced surveillance of severe group A streptococcal disease: Questionnaire (Excel Spreadsheet, 182 KB)
National enhanced surveillance of severe group A streptococcal disease: Questionnaire (black and white version) (Excel Spreadsheet, 182 KB)

Publications

HPA. Cessation of enhanced data collection for invasive group A streptococcal disease. Health Protection Report [serial online] 2010; 4(3):news

HPA. Group A streptococcal infections: fourth update on seasonal activity 2008/09. Health Protection Report [serial online] 2009; 3(29):news.

HPA. Group A streptococcal infections: third update on seasonal activity 2008/09. Health Protection Report [serial online] 2009; 3(13):news.

HPA. Group A streptococcal infections: second update on seasonal activity 2008/09. Health Protection Report [serial online] 2008; 3(8):news.

Lamagni TL, Efstratiou A, Dennis J, Nair P, Kearney J, George R et al. Increase in invasive group A streptococcal infections in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, 2008/09.   Euro Surveill 2009; 14(5).

HPA. Group A streptococcal infections: update on seasonal activity, 2008/09. Health Protection Report [serial online] 2009; 3(2): news.

HPA. Group A streptococcal infections: seasonal activity 2008/09. Health Protection Report [serial online] 2008; 2(51):news.

Last reviewed: 29 April 2010