Deadly strep outbreak in northern Ont. may spread as winter approaches: expert

TORONTO - An outbreak of streptococcal infections that has killed 10 people in northern Ontario could possibly spread across the province and even hit populations further east, a prominent microbiologist said Thursday.

Dr. Donald Low, chief microbiologist at Toronto's Mount Sinai Hospital, said he wouldn't be surprised if the infection migrated by the end of October or November.

"We've seen it in Western Canada, we're seeing it move east," Low said.

"There's a lot of movement of individuals from city to city, so there may well be an opportunity for this thing to hitchhike along with somebody and be introduced into a new community of individuals that are susceptible.

"It's speculation, but it's something that we're going to look out for."

On Wednesday, Thunder Bay, Ont.'s health unit announced an outbreak there which has seen 10 die and 75 others infected in the past year.

Health officials there said the overall risk to the public was low, noting that "marginalized people have been affected more than most." They said efforts are being directed toward street outreach programs.

About half of the Group A streptococcal cases in the region belong to a strain that was unknown in the province until summer 2007.

Low says that strain, called M59, spiked in Alberta and British Columbia in spring 2007 and was likely carried east.

The M59 strain is invasive, and can cause severe illness and death.

"People don't really have a natural immunity to it. It's like a new bug, almost like a new influenza virus infection," Low said.