A mystery flesh-eating disease that kills around 30% of people who become infected is spreading rapidly around Japan.
In the first two months of 2024, some 378 cases of streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (STSS) were detected in the country. Last year it is believed there were 941 cases, which has caused concern that this year is set to surpass that number by some distance.
STSS is caused by a more severe form of the bacteria that causes Streptococcal A, the strep A throat infection common in children.
Infections this year have been detected in all but two in all but two of Japan’s 47 prefectures, raising eyebrows about how widespread the bacteria has become. The Japan Times reports that there are usually fewer than 200 cases per year of this most severe group A streptococcal disease.
This outbreak is killing about thirty percent (30%) of those infected by it.
