European surveillance of severe group A streptococcal disease

Strep-EURO, a new European Commission Framework Five (QLK2-CT-2002-01398) surveillance programme for severe group A streptococcal disease (GAS), will be launched on 1 September 2002. The aim of the programme is to enhance understanding of the epidemiology of GAS invasive disease in Europe. Public health institutes from Sweden, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Czech Republic, Greece, Italy, Finland, Denmark, Romania, and Cyprus will participate.