The Public Health Department in the city said on Friday that two children in Montreal died due to complications from infection with the Strep A bacteria as cases of illness increase.

Public health has also recorded four cases of invasive Group A Streptococcal (iGAS) infections among young children since mid-November.

Montreal Public Health said in a press statement: "In comparison, during the same period 2017-2021, there were 0 to 1 cases of invasive infections among Montreal children."

Public health added earlier this month that it is closely monitoring the development of cases in the city after an increase in mortality rates in Europe. The BBC reported in December that the infection had claimed the lives of 15 children in the United Kingdom since September 9.

The rise in cases has also become a global phenomenon, with the World Health Organization reporting at least five countries - France, Ireland, the Netherlands, Sweden, and the United States - have seen increases in Strep A infections and scarlet fever among children in recent weeks.

With the death of two children aged two years or younger in Montreal, public health is urging healthcare workers to be vigilant for any signs of symptoms in children.

Strep A is a common bacteria found worldwide, but it is the invasive strain of Strep A that has doctors on alert because once it enters the bloodstream, it can develop rapidly and cause life-threatening sepsis and damage to multiple organs.

The severe symptoms can include fever, discomfort, severe pain in the affected area with redness or bluish discoloration, pneumonia, and septicemia.

Also, the infection can be treated with antibiotics such as penicillin or amoxicillin. Patients who have recently had respiratory infections, such as RSV, are among those most at risk of contracting the Strep A bacteria.