Invasive Strep Infections Have More Than Doubled in the U.S.

A new CDC study published in JAMA reveals that invasive group A strep infections more than doubled in the U.S. from 2013 to 2022, with nearly 2,000 deaths recorded. Unlike mild strep throat, invasive strep can lead to life-threatening conditions like necrotizing fasciitis or toxic shock syndrome.

Public health experts attribute the surge to rising rates of diabetes, obesity, injection drug use, and homelessness—particularly alarming given the 807 per 100,000 infection rate among people experiencing homelessness. The study calls for urgent prevention efforts, research into antibiotic resistance and strain virulence, and renewed momentum in vaccine development to address this growing public health threat. Read more from NBC here.