Recent trends in invasive group A Streptococcus disease in Victoria

Despite limitations in this surveillance data, we observed increasing rates of iGAS disease in Victoria. iGAS incidence exceeded the mean annual incidence for invasive meningococcal disease, calculated using Victorian data from the National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System (2.1 vs. 0.6 cases per 100,000 population per year, respectively). Mandatory case notification could enhance disease control and prevention. Further, the diversity in emm-types emphasises the importance of effective secondary chemoprophylaxis in prevention, alongside GAS vaccine development.