Alarm in Japan, the number of cases of SSTS bacterial infection increases significantly, mortality 30%

Health authorities have been worried for months, but recently cases of a highly dangerous bacterial infection have reached levels in Japan, while experts are unable to explain the reason for its rampant growth.

Japan's Health Ministry has recorded nearly 1,000 cases of what is known as streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (STSS) by early June, with a fatality rate of up to 30%. About 77 people are reported to have died from the disease between January and March, according to official data. The ongoing outbreak in Japan has already surpassed last year's previous record of 941 infections - the highest since statistics began in 1999.

STSS is a rare but serious bacterial infection that can develop when bacteria spread to deep tissues and the bloodstream. Its first symptoms are fever, muscle pain and vomiting, but the risk is that as it progresses, the infection turns into a life-threatening condition with swelling and multiple organ failure.

As further stated, most STSS cases are caused by group A streptococcus (GAS) bacteria, which mainly produces fever and throat infections in children. In rare circumstances, strep A can become invasive when the bacterium produces a toxin that allows it to enter the bloodstream, causing serious illnesses such as toxic shock.