A cluster of Invasive Group A Streptococcus (iGAS) cases has been identified in Camden and Islington, according to a health protection update presented at the Camden Health and Wellbeing Board meeting on Wednesday, 9 July 2025.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) informed the board of seven iGAS cases identified over a three-month period between March and May 2025. This cluster is being investigated to determine if it represents a significant deviation from the typical incidence rate in the area1. The cases were reported among people who inject drugs and people experiencing homelessness.

According to the report pack for the meeting, no direct links have been established between the cases. However, due to the vulnerability of people who inject drugs to a wide range of infections, communications have been shared to raise awareness about Group A Strep and its signs and symptoms. Messages have also been disseminated to remind people who inject drugs about infection prevention measures during injection2.

The Camden Health and Wellbeing Board's terms of reference state that:

The Camden Health and Wellbeing Board galvanises shared action across the health and care system to make Camden the best place to grow, live and age well.

The board is responsible for fulfilling the duties required by the Health and Social Care Act 20123 to:

  • Provide collective leadership for the general advancement of the health and wellbeing of the Camden population by promoting the integration of health and social care services
  • Identify the health and care needs of Camden residents through the preparation of the Joint Strategic Needs Assessment
  • Develop and agree the framework for health and care commissioning and provision to meet the needs of Camden residents through a Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy

  1. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) informed Camden and Islington of a cluster of iGAS cases consisting of 7 cases over a 3-month period) between March and May 2025.  ↩

  2. The report pack for the Health Protection Update notes that messages have been shared to remind people who inject drugs of the steps they can take to prevent infections when injecting. The report pack for the Health Protection Update also notes that communications have been shared to raise awareness about Group A Strep and the signs and symptoms of infection among people who inject drugs and people living with homelessness. ↩

  3. The Health and Social Care Act 2012 is an act of Parliament that reformed the National Health Service (NHS) in England. It introduced Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) and gave local authorities a greater role in public health. ↩