Japan has seen an alarming increase in the number of severe invasive streptococcal bacterial infections (TSLS). According to the National Institute of Infectious Diseases (NIID), as of June 2, 977 cases of infection were registered in the country. This figure has almost tripled compared to 2023, when 349 cases were recorded during the same period. Moreover, the current number has already exceeded the total number of infections for the entire previous year (941).
These types of infections caused by a rare variant streptococcus A, can cause, in the worst case, streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (STSS), which has a mortality rate of 30%. In addition, most of the current patients are already in their thirties.
To prevent its spread, the country’s medical workers urge the population to request immediate medical attention in case of accompanying symptoms (such as pain in the limbs or fever), since progression is rapid and in some cases can cause necrosis of the limbs. For this reason, this type of streptococcus A is also known as flesh-eating bacteria.
“The fact that the number of patients has increased so far gives us a sense of crisis because something unprecedented is happening,” he said in statements to public broadcaster NHK compiled by EFE. Ken KikuchiProfessor at Tokyo Women’s Medical University, infectious disease specialist.
Kikuchi explained that in the most serious infections, the route of entry for these bacteria is usually injure. However, there are other cases whose exact route is unknown.
In turn, the Minister of Health, Labor and Welfare of Japan Keizo Takemiassured after the publication of the NIID report that the government was “closely monitoring the infection trend” and called on the population to observe personal hygiene rules.