Group a streptococcal infections during the seasonal influenza outbreak 2010/11 in South East England

We present a series of 19 cases of invasive Group A streptococcal (iGAS) infection reported to the Thames Valley Health Protection Unit from 1 December 2010 to 15 January 2011. Ten patients died and a prodrome of influenza-like illness was reported in 14 cases. Influenza B co-infection was confirmed in four cases, three of which were fatal. Our report provides further evidence that influenza B co-infection with iGAS has the potential to cause significant morbidity and mortality.