They show no signs of slowing down Japan the cases of Toxic shock syndrome streptococcal disease (Stss), abacterial infection which in the first three months of the year caused the death of 77 people, while at the beginning of June there were almost 1000 people affected by this disease called “flesh-eating disease”.
Cases of toxic shock syndrome in Japan
As of June 2, 2024, Japan has recorded 977 cases of Streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (STSS)a disease that is manifesting itself with a mortality rate of up to 30%.
According to available data, in the first three months of the year alone, 77 people died in the Land of the Rising Sun due to this syndrome, which is also called “flesh-eating disease” since it can cause necrotizing fasciitis, which can cause the loss of limbs.
People wearing masks in Japan, where cases of streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (STSS) are increasing, which has already led to the death of 77 people
At the moment the Japanese authorities are unable to identify the causes of this increase. This bacterial infection, caused by group A streptococcus (GAS), is transmitted from human to human, and even with targeted treatments it can be fatal.
High death rate due to bacterial infection
Stss is a rare and serious bacterial infection that can develop if certain bacteria are found in the bloodstream or tissues. As explained by the American Health Centers, “out of 10 people affected by this syndromeup to three will die from the infection”.
The current number of positive cases in Japan is the highest since records beganin 1999, and according to experts part of the problem could be suspected “immunity debts” resulting from the Covid-19 pandemic.
“We can strengthen immunity if we are constantly exposed to bacteria, but that mechanism was absent during the coronavirus pandemic – said Professor Ken Kikuchi, of the Tokyo Women’s Medical University – more people are now susceptible to infections, and this could be one of the reasons for the sharp increase in cases”.
Symptoms and treatments for STSS
STSS typically affects people aged 65 and older, although in theory anyone can contract the infection. The bacterium that causes it is the same one that can cause sore throat and scarlet feverbut when the bacteria penetrate deeper into the body, STSS can be triggered.
This disease manifests itself with fever, muscle pain and vomiting, but symptoms can quickly worsen and put your life at risk due to low blood pressure, swelling and multiple organ failure, when the body goes into shock
As explained by the Pasteur Institute, antibiotics (ß-lactams) currently constitute the standard treatment for streptococcal infections, but in recent years there has been an increase in resistance to some families of antibiotics, particularly for the treatment of infections ENT or respiratory conditions and in cases of allergy to ß-lactams. To date, there is no vaccine against streptococcal infections A.
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