Lake County Health Department officials revealed Friday a Riverwoods man has been treated for the potentially deadly strep A bacteria that has infected almost 40 others in the Chicago area.
The man, 76, was diagnosed with the invasive strain of strep A on Jan. 5 at Highland Park Hospital, said Michael Crandall, spokesman for the county Health Department. He has since recovered, Crandall said.
The hospital reported the man’s illness while reviewing its records after the recent spate of infections this past week, Crandall said.
Crandall said the man did not suffer from toxic shock or the deadly flesh-eating condition that have afflicted some who have contracted strep A.
In the Chicago area, 38 people have been diagnosed with strep A, and 11 people have died, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health.
The Riverwoods man is the fourth case of strep A in Lake County. One woman, 52, died Feb. 21. Two others, a Wauconda woman, 54, and a Libertyville boy, 17, were also diagnosed with the bacteria, but survived.
