A disease caused by rare "flesh-eating bacteria" that can kill people within 48 hours is spreading in Japan, after the country eased Covid-19-era restrictions.
The number of cases of Streptococcal Toxic Shock Syndrome (STSS) has reached 977 cases as of June 2, 2024, exceeding the record number recorded last year of 941 cases, according to the National Institute of Infectious Diseases, which has been tracking cases of the disease since 1999.
Group A streptococci usually cause swelling and inflammation of the throat in children, known as strep throat, but some types of bacteria can lead to rapid development of symptoms, including pain and swelling of the extremities, fever, and low blood pressure, which Necrosis, breathing problems, organ failure, and death can follow.
Bloomberg reported that people over the age of 50 are more susceptible to contracting the disease.
“Most deaths occur within 48 hours,” said Ken Kikuchi, a professor of infectious diseases at Tokyo Women’s Medical University. “Once a patient notices swelling in his foot in the morning, it can extend to the knee by noon, and he can die within 48 hours.”
Kikuchi added that, at the current rate of infections, the number of cases in Japan may reach 2,500 this year, with a “terrifying” death rate of up to 30%.
Kikuchi urged people to keep hands clean and treat any open wounds, noting that patients may carry streptococci in their intestines, which may contaminate their hands if they come in contact with feces.
Other countries have seen recent outbreaks of the disease. In late 2022, at least five European countries reported to the World Health Organization an increase in cases of group A streptococcal disease, which includes streptococcal toxic shock syndrome. The World Health Organization said the rise in cases came from... After Covid restrictions end.
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