Invasive group A streptococcal disease – (iGAS)

Statutory notification

• iGAS infection is a notifiable infectious disease in Western Australia.
• See notifiable communicable disease case definitions (Word 1.29MB).
• Notifications should be made using the communicable disease notification form for metropolitan residents (PDF 209KB) or regional residents (PDF 208KB).
• For notification of regional residents see contact details of public health units.
• See also description of statutory medical notifications for WA Health.

Public health management

Important information

• Infectious agent: Streptococcus pyogenes also known as Group A Streptococcus (GAS) bacteria.
• Transmission: GAS is spread from one person to another via respiratory droplets from sneezing, coughing or kissing. It can also spread by direct contact with people with GAS on their skin.
• Incubation period: Not well defined. Usually 1 to 3 days, but sometimes up to 30 days.
• Infectious period: Cases are infectious from 7 days before symptom onset until symptoms have resolved or after 24 hours of effective antibiotic therapy has been initiated.
• Case exclusion: Isolate until at least 24 hours have elapsed after receiving appropriate antibiotic therapy.
• Contact exclusion: Do not exclude.
• Treatment: Antibiotic treatment is available.
• Immunisation: None available.
• Case follow-up: Where appropriate, the relevant public health unit will manage the public health response.

Guidelines

• Invasive Group A Streptococcal (iGAS) Disease – CDNA National guidelines for Public Health Units (external site)

Fact sheets

• Invasive Group A Streptococcal (iGAS) Disease Fact Sheet for Contacts (PDF 105KB)
• Invasive Group A Streptococcal (iGAS) Disease Fact Sheet – Plain language (PDF 744KB)

Notifiable disease data and reports

• Notifiable infectious disease dashboard
• General infectious disease reports