Increasing Rates of Invasive Group A Streptococcal Disease in Alberta, Canada; 2003–2017

Abstract

The incidence of iGAS disease in Alberta, Canada, has increased from 2003 to 2017. This increase has been driven not by a single <i>emm</i> type, but rather what has been observed is a collection of common and emerging <i>emm</i> types associated with disease. In addition, it is also likely that societal factors are playing important roles in this increase as risk factors associated with marginalized populations (addiction, alcohol abuse, and drug use) were found to have increased during the survey period.