Group B Strep (Invasive)

970 cases in 2024 — near the 5-year baseline of ~1,188.

What is it?

Invasive Group B Streptococcus (GBS) disease is caused by Streptococcus agalactiae entering sterile body sites. NYS had 970 cases in 2024. GBS is the leading cause of sepsis, pneumonia, and meningitis in newborns in the United States. It also commonly infects pregnant women, elderly adults, and people with underlying health conditions.

How it spreads

GBS colonizes the intestines and vagina of about 25% of healthy adults without causing illness. Newborns can acquire GBS from their mother during delivery. In adults, invasive GBS occurs when the bacteria enter the bloodstream or other sterile sites, often related to underlying health conditions.

Symptoms

In newborns: fever, difficulty breathing, poor feeding, limpness, and abnormal heart rate — can progress to sepsis, pneumonia, or meningitis. In adults: bloodstream infection, pneumonia, skin and soft tissue infections, or urinary tract infections, often in the setting of underlying illness.

Who is at risk?

Newborns, especially those born to mothers with GBS colonization who did not receive intrapartum antibiotics. Adults over 65, pregnant people, and those with diabetes, heart disease, cancer, or obesity.

What you can do

Based on NYSDOH annual communicable disease report. Threat level reflects 2024 case counts compared to the 5-year baseline.