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The application of environmental health assessment strategies to detect Streptococcus pyogenes in Kimberley school classrooms

Children spend almost one-third of their waking hours at school. Streptococcus pyogenes (Strep A) is a common childhood bacterial infection that can progress to causing serious disease. We aimed to detect Strep A in classrooms by using environmental settle plates and swabbing of high-touch surfaces in two remote schools in the Kimberley, Western Australia.

Citation:
Enkel SL, Wong B, Mickuki A, Ford AJ, O'Brien M, Pallegedara T, Bedford L, Thomas HMM, Lansbury N, Carapetis JR, Barth DD, Pickering J, Bowen AC. The application of environmental health assessment strategies to detect Streptococcus pyogenes in Kimberley school classrooms. Infecti, Dis Health. 2024.

Keywords:
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health; Infection prevention and control; Streptococcus pyogenes; Transmission

Abstract:
Children spend almost one-third of their waking hours at school. Streptococcus pyogenes (Strep A) is a common childhood bacterial infection that can progress to causing serious disease. We aimed to detect Strep A in classrooms by using environmental settle plates and swabbing of high-touch surfaces in two remote schools in the Kimberley, Western Australia.