2024-03-25 15:21:25
Japan is recording a record number of cases of group A streptococcal infections. Since January, 474 cases have already been recorded.
Alexis Llanos
Written on 03/25/2024
In 2023, the death rate from streptococcus was 30% in Japan — Shutterstock
474 cases of streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (SCTS) have been reported in Japan since January 2024, according to theJapanese National Institute of Infectious Diseases. This record number of infections alerts the Japanese government, relays The Japan Times.
Younger and younger cases
141 cases of infections have been reported in Tokyo in 2023, of which 42 are believed to have led to deaths. As of March 17, 2024, 88 patients have already been identified, more than half of the previous year in just two and a half months. And these infections are not limited to the capital. Since January 2024, the Japanese National Institute of Infectious Diseases has already recorded 474 cases throughout the archipelago.
If anyone can contract SCTS, it mainly affects people aged 30 and over, according to the same source. In Tokyo, 90% of those affected over the past 10 years were always over 40 years old. However, it seems that more and more people are infected youth.
“Flesh-eating bacteria”
Most often, infections caused by bacteria such as streptococci give rise to angina or some skin infections. But these can also cause necrosis of the skin in the connective tissues that cover the muscles – which earns it the nickname “flesh-eating bacteria”.
In 2023, the mortality rate due to streptococcus was 30% in Japan, which represents “an extremely high rate” according to the Japanese government. As for those who survived the infection, they frequently had to have their necrotic limbs amputated.
Group A Streptococcus is transmitted through the air or by direct contact. Infection can also occur through injuries to the hands or feet. The increase in cases is believed to be linked to a variant of Streptococcus A, called the M1UK strain. This would be highly transmissible and has been increasingly detected in Japanese patients since November 2023.
Read also : Strep infections: what to do if you have angina
A surge in cases in other countries
This increase in the spread of SCTS in Japan could be behind North Korea’s decision to cancel a football match. Indeed, this Saturday, FIFA officially announced the cancellation of the World Cup qualifying match between North Korea and Japan, initially scheduled for Tuesday March 26 in Pyongyang. The football organization concluded that the Asian Group B qualifying match “will neither be played nor postponed” due to the difficulties encountered in finding another venue or another match date.
Japan is not the only country to be concerned by the phenomenon, insisted the spokesperson for the Japanese government, Yoshimasa Hayashi. Indeed, an increase in the number of group A streptococcal infections has also been observed over the last two years among children and adults in France, according to a report from Public Health France dating from March 2023. Other countries such as Australia or the United States are also affected.
What is Strep A infection? — The Health Mag – France 5
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