The Deadly Flesh-Eating Bacteria Currently Spreading Across Japan

 by Isobella P-W

Recently, a flesh-eating bacteria has been spreading across Japan. This deadly and terrifying bacteria can kill people within 48 hours. 

As of June 9 cases of this bacteria in Japan have reached 1019, which is more than the total number of cases reported all of last year. However this bacteria carries a terrifying mortality rate of 30%, meaning that 3 out of 10 STSS patients are likely to die. 

This bacteria causes Streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (STSS). The bacteria that causes this is known as a GAS and is a ‘common bacterium’. This ‘common bacteria’ causes mild symptoms such as scarlet fever, skin infections or strep throat. However, in rare cases the disease can cause severe illness and even death. This is because the bacteria enters areas it’s not normally found in such as the blood, lungs, muscles, joints and bones, or even the fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord. This bacteria spreads around the body very quickly and to give an example, if a patient notices swelling in the foot in the morning, it can expand to the knee by noon, then within 48 hours, death could occur. 

Symptoms of STSS include fevers, chills and aches. It causes pneumonia or abscesses in the lungs. Also, it is associated with ‘flesh-eating disease’ which turns the skin purplish before it dies.

The GAS bacteria (Group A Strep bacteria) spreads through respiratory droplets or direct contact. People can also carry the bacteria without showing symptoms or infection. Therefore, to minimise the spread of the bacteria people should maintain hand hygiene and treat any open wounds. Also improving indoor ventilation as well as staying at home if sick are ways to minimise the spread. Additionally, some risk factors are open sores and wounds, weakened immune systems, being pregnant and alcohol and drug use.

The WHO said that the rise in cases followed the end of the COVID restrictions. Moreover, its spread could have been inadvertently increased due to people’s lowered immunity as a result of COVID. This is thought to be the case as the number of cases increased after COVID, but unlike other diseases, it has continued to rise.