Nova Scotia sisters raise alarm on deadly iGAS

In southwest Nova Scotia, Meta and Sammi Ross are mourning the loss of their parents to a rare but fatal bacterial infection known as invasive group A strep, or iGAS. The infection claimed the lives of their mother, Ginny Killam, and stepfather, Jeffery Killam, within hours on February 25, leaving the sisters questioning the lack of public health alerts. Nova Scotia Health has reported 10 deaths among 39 iGAS cases in the first two months of the year, a significant increase from the previous year.

The Ross sisters’ ordeal began when their mother sought medical attention for flu-like symptoms on February 20. Despite worsening conditions, including a spreading rash and difficulty breathing, the seriousness of her illness was not immediately recognized. Ginny Killam was eventually diagnosed with iGAS, but by then, her husband had also fallen ill. Both were treated at Yarmouth Regional Hospital, where they succumbed to the infection.

Public health officials in Nova Scotia have communicated with healthcare providers about the rise in iGAS cases since January, emphasizing the need for vigilance during the respiratory season. The risk to the general public is considered low, but the increase in cases follows the relaxation of COVID-19 restrictions, a trend observed across Canada. Symptoms of iGAS include high fever, severe pain, dizziness, confusion, a rapidly spreading rash, nausea, and vomiting, and the infection spreads through direct contact with mucus or infected wounds.

The Ross sisters are now focused on spreading awareness about iGAS, hoping that their story will help others recognize the signs and seek timely medical intervention. Their experience underscores the importance of public health communication and the potential impact of early detection and treatment in life-threatening infections.