can kill in 48 hours

A “flesh-eating bacteria” warns Japan After infecting thousands of people, there was a record increase in the number of infections caused by it. It’s about streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (STSS), a dangerous and extremely deadly bacterial infection that has reached unprecedented levels of infection.

In the first five months of 2024 alone, it reached a record number for the territory, close to a thousand. Until June 2, they were confirmed in the Japanese archipelago. 977 of these infectionsaccording to data published by the National Institute of Infectious Diseases (NIID), is caused by this rare variant of streptococcus, which in the worst case can cause illness with 30% mortality rate. According to the latest published data, a total of 77 people would have died due to this health problem between January and March.

How does it spread?

Ken Kikuchi, a professor at Tokyo Women’s Medical University and an infectious disease expert, explained in a statement to public broadcaster NHK that the most serious cases of these infections are usually caused by bacteria entering through a woundalthough there are times when the exact route is unknown.

Symptoms

This disease may be asymptomatic, but when it occurs, its symptoms are severe. fever, vomiting and pain in the limbs. In the most severe cases, it can cause necrosis of the arms and legs, which is why it is also called “flesh-eating bacteria.”

One treatment option is antibiotics, although more and more bacteria are emerging that are resistant to these drugs. removal of infected tissue.

To avoid this, it is recommended take extreme hygiene measures (especially hand washing), since one of the ways of transmitting streptococcus A is through contact. And it’s not impossible using a mask to avoid infection by airborne droplets, the most common bacteria for this.

Additionally, it is worrying that these infections are not limited to Japan; growing in other countries.