Sore throat and tonsillitis are among the main signs of infection caused by the bacterium Streptococcus pyogenes, which may have caused the death of three children in San Joao del Rey (Murguia). The bacterium is transmitted through contact with secretions and saliva of infected people.

Sore throat is one of the symptoms caused by bacteria. Photo: Freepik/Disclosure/ND.

The government advises residents of the municipality to contact a health facility if they develop symptoms. In addition, infectious disease specialist Adelino Melo emphasizes that those infected with the bacterium should avoid contact with other people.

The causes of death of the children are still being clarified. Samples from the two victims were sent by a team from the mayor’s office to Fundação Ezequiel Dias, which must determine whether the infection was indeed the cause of death.

Bacteria cause infections: ‘It’s very common’

According to the expert, infections caused by bacteria are more common in spring and summer. “Infection occurs through close contact. Children can transmit it among themselves, mostly through social interaction and through droplets that come out of their mouths that they breathe and cough,” he explained.

Additionally, Melo said, the bacteria is “very common,” especially among children. He explains that a portion of the population is infected with Streptococcus pyogenes without developing symptoms.

“This is an infection that can be cured. Antibiotics must be given to treat these children, but the bacteria usually do not cause serious complications. The main complication occurs after a sore throat occurs. We have rheumatological complications that we call rheumatic fever. Ultimately, the body generates an immunological reaction that can affect the joints and heart. Another possible complication is changes in the kidneys,” explains the doctor.

Link between bacteria and mortality

The infectious disease specialist stressed that one must be careful when linking the bacteria to the deaths of children in São João del Rey. “We need more information to clearly determine whether these deaths are due to serious streptococcal infection or whether they are a confounding factor. There are several potentially serious bacteria that are causing outbreaks in schools,” he commented.

According to the municipal health department, exams sent to Funed must be completed within 15 days. The ministry claims to have the situation under control. In addition, city doctors will be trained to identify and treat suspected cases of infection.

“The State Department of Health of Minas (SES-MG) reports that there are no criteria to prove an outbreak or risk to the health of the population of San Joao del Rey, and there are no epidemiological data to justify a change in routine activity,” the folder highlighted.

“In case of symptoms such as fever, sore throat and others, it is recommended to contact the basic health department for appropriate treatment,” the statement said.

Three deaths under investigation

According to a technical note from the mayor’s office, the first suspicious death in San Joao del Rey was recorded on September 24. According to the document, the victim was a 10-year-old child. The death certificate indicated sepsis due to Streptococcus pyogenes, but material for laboratory confirmation was not collected.

The second death was recorded on October 8. The victim died in Maranhão, but was from São João del Rey. She was 3 years old and the autopsy results were still pending.

On October 23, the death of a 10-year-old girl became known. She was admitted to the ED (emergency department) and transferred to Santa Casa.

According to the mayor’s office, there is still no laboratory confirmation of the connection between bacteria and the death of three children.

Four more children were hospitalized with the same symptoms and are being monitored by the city health service.

Classes are suspended

Even without confirmation that the children died as a result of infection with bacteria, the city council decided to suspend classes from October 25 to November 6. The measure was taken to carry out disinfestation in educational institutions of the municipality.

In addition, the municipality took other measures: the purchase of 4,500 rapid tests to detect bacteria and an increase in the number of doctors in the UPA.