Strep bacterial strain new to Alaska causes 4 deaths

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is keeping a close eye on a new bacterial strain in Alaska that has already killed four people.
According to state epidemiologist Dr. Joe McLaughlin, most of the patients have been homeless and most experienced chronic alcohol abuse. McLaughlin said the strain is a form of Group A Strep that was first detected in Fairbanks this February. Since then the invasive bacteria has caused 28 cases of severe illness — 10 in Fairbanks and 18 in Anchorag