Abstract
Background:
Public health messaging during infectious disease outbreaks is crucial for controlling spread and ensuring proportionate public response. The winter 2022 surge in Group A Streptococcus (GAS) in England provided an opportunity to examine the relationship between messaging and NHS demand to inform future communication strategies and system resilience.
Methods:
This observational study analysed internet searches, media communications, UKHSA invasive GAS (iGAS) notifications, prescription data, and NHS 111, emergency department (ED), and GP surveillance data. Temporal associations were assessed descriptively. Weekly differences from winter means were calculated.
Results:
Following December 2022 announcements there were increases observed within a week compared to winter averages in: NHS 111 contacts (fevers +256%, sore throats +953%), acute respiratory infection ED visits (+155%), GP pharyngitis consultations (+356%), and community penicillin prescriptions (+134%).
Conclusions:
This study highlights the strain on healthcare services during the 2022 iGAS surge and the possible contribution of messaging to consultation rates. While media communications likely encouraged appropriate attendance, the rapid return to baseline despite ongoing iGAS circulation suggests some consultations may have been for milder, self-limiting conditions. We recommend strengthening interdisciplinary collaboration, tailored messaging for parents and frontline providers and establishing mechanisms to scale community healthcare capacity during high-demand periods.
Public health messaging during infectious disease outbreaks is crucial for controlling spread and ensuring proportionate public response. The winter 2022 surge in Group A Streptococcus (GAS) in England provided an opportunity to examine the relationship between messaging and NHS demand to inform future communication strategies and system resilience.
Methods:
This observational study analysed internet searches, media communications, UKHSA invasive GAS (iGAS) notifications, prescription data, and NHS 111, emergency department (ED), and GP surveillance data. Temporal associations were assessed descriptively. Weekly differences from winter means were calculated.
Results:
Following December 2022 announcements there were increases observed within a week compared to winter averages in: NHS 111 contacts (fevers +256%, sore throats +953%), acute respiratory infection ED visits (+155%), GP pharyngitis consultations (+356%), and community penicillin prescriptions (+134%).
Conclusions:
This study highlights the strain on healthcare services during the 2022 iGAS surge and the possible contribution of messaging to consultation rates. While media communications likely encouraged appropriate attendance, the rapid return to baseline despite ongoing iGAS circulation suggests some consultations may have been for milder, self-limiting conditions. We recommend strengthening interdisciplinary collaboration, tailored messaging for parents and frontline providers and establishing mechanisms to scale community healthcare capacity during high-demand periods.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Journal | Journal of Public Health |
| Publication status | Accepted/In press - 8 Dec 2025 |
