ALBAWABA - About a year after the World Health Organization (WHO) ended the global emergency status for COVID-19, a new rare flesh-eating bacteria was reported in Japan triggering worry.
At least 977 cases of the flesh-eating bacteria were reported in Japan in June, Bloomberg revealed, adding that the number exceeded last year’s record high.
According to details, the disease is very deadly as it can kill people within 2 days (48 hours). It began to respread following the easiness of COVID-19 measures in the country.
National Institute of Infectious Diseases added that 977 cases of streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (STSS) were reported by June 2, meanwhile, last year, 941 cases were registered for 2023.
Bloomberg also added that Group A Streptococcus (GAS) typically causes swelling and sore throat, commonly known as “strep throat" in kids.
However, symptoms can soon develop to reach limb pain and swelling, fever, and low blood pressure, which can be combined with necrosis, breathing problems, organ failure and death.
Furthermore, Ken Kikuchi, a professor in infectious diseases at Tokyo Women’s Medical University said: "Most of the deaths happen within 48 hours.
"As soon as a patient notices swelling in the foot in the morning, it can expand to the knee by noon, and they can die within 48 hours," Kikuchi maintained.
