Deadly "Flesh-Eating" Bacteria Spreads In Japan (image: Pixabay)
A deadly disease caused by “flesh-eating” bacteria is spreading quickly across Japan. Streptococcal Toxic Shock Syndrome or STSS is a rare and severe illness that could prove to be highly dangerous and fatal within a short span of 48 hours.
Japan is raising alarm as the cases is nearing 1,000. Tokyo, the capital city of Japan, alone has notified 145 cases in the first half of 2024.
According to Japan’s National Infectious Disease Institute, STSS cases are on the rise, and 977 cases have been identified by June 2 this year. This number has already exceeded last year’s record of 941 cases.
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Majority of the cases are located among adults, and the mortality rate has reached at around 30 per cent, as per the local media reports.
STSS is caused by infection with group A Streptococcus (GAS) bacteria and its initial symptoms include fever, muscle aches, and nausea. Failing to locate early, certain variants of the bacteria could advance into symptoms such respiratory issues, necrosis, organ failure and even death.
According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “Even with treatment, STSS can be deadly. Out of 10 people with STSS, as many as three people will die from the infection.”
It results in a common condition known as “strep throat” in children, causing swelling and sore throat, the Economic Times reports.
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The World Health Organization (WHO) observes that increase in cases has been observed ever since many countries lifted the coronavirus travel restrictions.
Ken Kikuchi, a professor in infectious diseases at Tokyo Women’s Medical University requested people to maintain hand hygiene and to treat any open wounds. Patients may carry GAS in their intestines, which could contaminate hands through faeces, Bloomberg reports, as Ken Kikuchi is saying.
