Cases of a bacterial infection reaction that kills a third of those who contract the disease are sweeping Japan.
Health officials in the country have so far recorded 977 cases of streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (STSS), a rare but potentially fatal complication linked to the bacterium Strep A.
STSS occurs when the bacteria invade deeper tissues and reach the bloodstream. It kills about 30 percent of those who develop the disease. So far, about 77 people have died from STSS in Japan.
The total number of STSS cases in Japan is the highest number of recorded cases in the country since records began in 1999, with experts unclear on the cause.
However, some suspect that the ‘immunity debt’ of the Covid pandemic could be to blame.
Japan has so far recorded 977 cases of streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (STSS), a rare but potentially fatal complication linked to the bacteria Strep A. Pictured commuters outside Tokyo Station earlier this year
Strep A is a bacterium that can cause infections in the throat, skin and respiratory tract. If an infection is left untreated, it can cause serious complications. Ear infections, toxic shock syndrome, and kidney inflammation are all complications that can occur
It comes after Britain experienced its own wave of Strep A infections, also known as Scarlet Fever, in late 2022.
In England alone, this outbreak killed almost 500 people, including 55 children.
Japanese health officials warned that they saw an increase in infections that can cause STSS in March, especially among those under 50.
While the reason for the spike in cases is unknown, Professor Ken Kikuchi of Tokyo Women’s Medical University told Japan’s public broadcaster NHK Immunity guilt against Covid could play a role.
‘We can boost immunity if we are constantly exposed to bacteria. But that mechanism was absent during the coronavirus pandemic,” he said.
‘So more people are now susceptible to infections, and that could be a reason for the sharp rise in cases.’
Immunity guilt, caused by people not being exposed to normal levels of pathogens due to Covid lockdowns, was also theorized by some experts as the cause of the unusually high surge of Strep A cases in Britain in late 2022.
Although Strep A can cause a number of serious illnesses, it usually starts with a few typical symptoms. This includes a rash, sore throat, red cheeks, muscle aches, high fever, an ear infection and sores on the skin
The killer bug spreads through cough drops, sneezing, talking and skin-to-skin contact. In rare cases, Strep A bacteria is spread through food that has not been properly handled
Professor Ian Jones, a virologist at the University of Reading, told MailOnline that the Japanese cases are unlikely to spread to Britain.
‘Infection by group A streptococci is common and in most cases not serious. However, the infection can be fatal if it spreads further in the body,” he said.
‘Incidence rates vary from year to year and Europe saw a peak in cases in 2022, which is widely attributed to lower population immunity due to the lockdown.
‘It is possible that the same thing is happening now in Japan and that the balance between immunity and infection will restore itself once the current wave is over.
“If so, there is no reason to believe that the high rate in Japan will spread elsewhere.”
The first signs of STSS are generally flu-like and include a patient suffering from fever and chills, muscle aches, nausea and vomiting.
Within just 24 hours, however, this can progress to dangerously low blood pressure, rapid heart rate and breathing, and potentially fatal organ failure.
STSS typically affects older adults, people aged 65 and over, although theoretically anyone can get the infection.
The bacteria that causes STSS is the same type that can cause strep throat and scarlet fever.
However, when the bacteria penetrate deeper into the body, it is called invasive group A strep disease, and as a result, STSS can be activated.
STSS often results from a person with an open wound being exposed to the bacteria, as it is an easier way to infect deeper tissues.
However, in many cases the exact cause of STSS cannot be determined.
The treatment of STSS is primarily focused on keeping a patient alive while antibiotics try to cure the infection.
Sometimes surgery, including amputations, is necessary to remove infected or dead tissue.
Strep A infections that can cause STSS are contagious and can be spread through infected droplets spread by coughing.