The Thunder Bay District Health Unit says it is working with Lakehead Manor to keep a Group A strep outbreak under control after eight residents at the long-term care home were infected last week.
Another resident who had a more severe form of strep has died.
“Both the health unit and the facility are very concerned about spread, so that’s why we have mounted a very thorough investigation,†said health unit spokesperson Darlene Binette.
“We are swabbing both residents and staff to see if there’s any carriers of Group A strep.â€
A few years ago, there were a number of deaths from invasive Group A strep in Thunder Bay, Binette noted.
Since then, the health unit has heightened its watch for strep cases.
There is no vaccine for Group A strep. Antibiotics can provide some short-term protection.
