Montreal health authorities are confirming that four people have died from a Streptococcus A outbreak at a private seniors residence.
A spokesman for the regional health authority says six cases of invasive group A streptococcal infections have been detected in the residence in Montreal’s west end since Monday, including the four fatal cases.
Jean Nicolas Aubé says the disease appears to have spread to a second seniors home, where one case has been detected.
The health authority for the west of Montreal — the CIUSSS de l’Ouest-de-l’Île-de-Montréal — confirmed the outbreaks are at Les Résidences Floralies locations in the Lachine and LaSalle boroughs.
The government of Canada’s website says strep A bacteria is usually associated with mild illnesses such as strep throat and sinus infections.
However, in rare cases infection can cause more invasive and life-threatening conditions including pneumonia, flesh-eating disease and toxic shock syndrome.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 31, 2022.
The Canadian Press
