Bloomberg reported on Saturday that a rare “flesh-eating bacteria” causing disease and capable of killing individuals within 48 hours is spreading in Japan.
By June 2, there were 977 cases of streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (STSS) recorded in Japan, surpassing the previous year’s record of 941 cases, as reported by the National Institute of Infectious Diseases, which has monitored the disease since 1999.
The Group A Streptococcus (GAS) bacteria, often causing swelling and sore throat, can sometimes lead to severe symptoms such as limb pain, swelling, fever, low blood pressure, necrosis, respiratory issues, organ failure, and death, according to Bloomberg.
“Most deaths occur within 48 hours,” stated Ken Kikuchi, a professor of infectious diseases at Tokyo Women’s Medical University. “A patient may notice foot swelling in the morning, which can spread to the knee by noon, resulting in death within 48 hours.”
Kikuchi warned that at the current infection rate, Japan could see up to 2,500 cases this year, with a “terrifying” mortality rate of 30%. He also emphasized the importance of hand hygiene and treating open wounds.
The US CDC notes that while anyone can contract STSS, it is most common in adults aged 65 and older. Individuals with open wounds, diabetes, or alcohol use disorder are at increased risk.
Bloomberg also reported that several other countries have recently experienced outbreaks of streptococcal toxic shock syndrome. In late 2022, at least five European nations informed the World Health Organization of an increase in invasive group A streptococcus (iGAS) disease cases, which includes STSS. The WHO linked this rise to the lifting of Covid restrictions.
