Two people have died at the Maplehurst Correctional Complex in Milton, Ont., due to an outbreak of invasive group A streptococcal disease (iGAS), according to Halton Region.

"At this time, we are aware of two deaths connected with this iGAS outbreak," Halton Region's public health team said in an email Friday evening.

"Keeping every member of our community safe and healthy is a top priority. We are working closely with the facility and provincial partners to manage the outbreak and ensure appropriate infection prevention and control measures are in place."

The public health team said there are no deaths associated with an influenza A outbreak also occurring at the jail.

Brian Gray, spokesperson for Ontario's Ministry of the Solicitor General, which has not confirmed the deaths, said in a statement on Friday that the Halton Public Health Unit declared the outbreaks.

Gray said health care staff are monitoring inmates daily in units affected by the outbreaks, inmates with symptoms are being assessed and treated, and additional cleaning is being done.

"Any deaths that occurred during the time of the outbreak are under investigation by public health and the coroner's office," Gray said.

In a statement to CBC Toronto on Friday, Janet Laverty, chair of the ministry employee relations committee for OPSEU, the union that represents employees, said the Ministry of Health notified OPSEU this week about the situation.

"Our members continue to work in these difficult conditions and have also been impacted by these outbreaks," she said. "Several have required medical attention, and we are working to ensure that the appropriate supports are in place for those that are impacted."

Laverty said Halton Public Health and Ontario Public Health officials are working with the province to respond to the outbreaks. Laverty said any other questions about the state of the outbreaks and the condition of those affected would need to be answered by ministry officials.

Group A strep is a disease caused by bacteria that spreads through person-to-person contact. Some people carry the bacteria in their throat or on their skin with mild symptoms, or none at all.

In rare cases, Public Health Ontario says, the infection can become "invasive" when bacteria enters the blood or deep tissue, which can result in life-threatening illness.

Health officials have warned about a rise in cases of the illness in recent years.

Isaac Bogoch, an infectious diseases specialist at Toronto General Hospital, told CBC Toronto that invasive Group A strep can cause very severe illness, and can be challenging to control in group settings like shelters, dorms, barracks and prisons.

"We know that there's just a greater rate of colonization with this bacteria, and also a greater rate of infection with this bacteria, especially in those settings," he said.

"It needs prompt medical care and medical attention."