Role of occupational health staff in investigation of invasive group A streptococcal infection hospital outbreak

Healthcare workers (HCWs) are commonly implicated as index cases during investigation of invasive group A streptococcus (GAS) hospital outbreaks. Staff screening may be needed but guidelines on implementation vary. We conducted an analysis to find common exposures in patients infected with a rare type of GAS and staff were asked to self-screen. Swabs were negative, but as the outbreak continued, specific HCWs were asked to attend the occupational health department. The index case was then identified as having a skin disorder infected with same rare GAS. We describe the importance of occupational health clinical review of HCWs during an outbreak. (C) 2012 The Healthcare Infection Society. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.