Status: Active
Date issued: 26 February 2024
Issued by: Dr Clare Looker, Chief Health Officer
Issued to: Health professionals
Key messages
- From 1 March 2024, invasive group A streptococcal disease (iGAS) will become an urgent notifiable condition for medical practitioners and pathology services in Victoria.
- iGAS is a severe, invasive disease caused by infection with Streptococcus pyogenes, also known as Group A Streptococcus.
- iGAS can present as bacteraemia/septicaemia, necrotising fasciitis, streptococcal toxic shock syndrome or other serious illnesses which are associated with high morbidity and mortality.
- Diagnosis of iGAS relies on the laboratory detection of Streptococcus pyogenes and clinical information.
- Medical practitioners and pathology services must notify cases of iGAS immediately upon diagnosis to the Department of Health. Pathology services must also provide written notification within 5 working days.
- Read the full advisory on health.vic.
