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Group A Streptococcus Disease Outbreak Associated with Large Congregate Shelter, Chicago, Illinois, USA, October

Karrie-Ann Toews, Lauren Tietje, Anne Meyers

    Emerging Infectious Diseases
    |June 2, 2026
    PubMed

    Insights

    Group A Streptococcus (GAS) outbreaks in Chicago migrant shelters led to hospitalizations and one pediatric death. Enhanced surveillance and testing were crucial for managing the spread of this bacterial infection.

    Area of Science:

    • Public Health
    • Infectious Diseases
    • Epidemiology

    Background:

    • Group A Streptococcus (GAS) infections can cause severe illness, including invasive disease and pharyngitis.
    • Large congregate settings, such as migrant shelters, present unique challenges for infection control.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To describe the epidemiology and management of a GAS outbreak in a Chicago migrant shelter.
    • To highlight the difficulties in controlling GAS transmission in a vulnerable population.

    Main Methods:

    • Active surveillance for symptomatic residents and staff with pharyngitis.
    • Rapid antigen detection testing and throat cultures for GAS diagnosis.
    • Case investigation and clinical management of GAS infections.

    Main Results:

    • An outbreak of GAS pharyngitis and invasive GAS disease occurred in a large congregate family migrant shelter.
    • 166 out of 428 symptomatic individuals tested positive for GAS.
    • The outbreak included hospitalizations, peritonsillar abscesses, and one pediatric death from invasive GAS.

    Conclusions:

    • GAS outbreaks in congregate shelters require rapid and coordinated public health responses.
    • Challenges include high transmission rates and the potential for severe outcomes, particularly in children.
    • Effective infection control measures and diagnostic testing are essential for mitigating outbreaks in these settings.

    Keywords:
    ChicagoIllinoisStreptococcus pyogenesUnited Statesbacteriacongregate sheltergroup A streptococcus

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