A rare and deadly flesh-eating bacterial infection is spreading alarmingly fast across Japan, officials report.
Japan is bracing for a surge in cases of streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (STSS), a condition with a high fatality rate of 30%, primarily caused by group A streptococcus bacteria.
Medical experts are perplexed by the rapid increase in cases and are emphasizing the importance of hand hygiene and thorough wound cleaning to stem the infection’s spread.
“There are still many unknown factors regarding the mechanisms behind fulminant (severe and sudden) forms of streptococcus, and we are not at the stage where we can explain them,” stated Japan’s National Institute of Infectious Diseases (NIID) to The Guardian.
The NIID has reported 941 confirmed cases of STSS in 2023. Shockingly, within the first two months of 2024 alone, 378 cases have already been recorded, affecting patients in all but two of Japan’s 47 prefectures.
Despite an average of 100-200 cases annually since its identification in 1992, the number surged to a record 894 cases in 2019.
STSS is predominantly caused by streptococcus pyogenes (strep A), commonly known for causing sore throats in children but often carried asymptomatically by others.
The bacteria are highly contagious and pose serious health risks, particularly to adults over 30, with older individuals being more vulnerable, according to the NIID.
Recently, the group A strain has been associated with more deaths in patients under 50. According to Asahi Shimbum, 21 out of 65 patients under 50 diagnosed with STSS between July and December 2023 succumbed to the infection.
In advanced stages, STSS can lead to tissue necrosis and organ failure, necessitating antibiotics and sometimes surgical tissue removal, health officials explained.
Some health experts attribute the surge in cases to Japan’s relaxation of pandemic restrictions following a decline in COVID-19 cases.
“We urge the public to take preventive measures such as maintaining hand hygiene, practicing cough etiquette, and staying vigilant,” emphasized Japan’s Health Minister Keizo Takemi earlier this year.
