As of: March 18, 2024, 5:06 p.m
By: Karolin Schaefer, Julia Hanigk
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Streptococcal infections are increasing dramatically in Japan.
The disease is often fatal.
The exact reasons for the spread are not yet clear.
Tokyo - Streptococcal infections, which manifest themselves through symptoms such as inflamed tonsils, skin rashes or swelling, are currently a growing health problem.
At the beginning of last year, the RKI reported a steep increase in streptococcal infections in Germany, and now it is hitting Japan.
The bacteria, which often affect mucous membranes and can cause various diseases, are spreading at an unprecedented rate.
Increasing Streptococcal STSS Cases in Japan
Highly contagious strains of A streptococci, one of over 120 streptococcal species, have repeatedly been identified in Japan.
In 2024, more than 400 cases of streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (STSS) were recorded in Japan,
The Guardian
reported.
STSS is a rare but potentially fatal infection caused by A streptococcus.
Streptococci are spherical bacteria.
© Science Photo Library/IMAGO
These symptoms can occur with STSS:
Drop in blood pressure
Rashes
Diarrhea
Vomit
lethargy
Shortness of breath
Tampons, menstrual cups or diaphragms can trigger STSS
STSS causes a sudden, severe feeling of illness.
Older people and menstruating women who have already had contact with the bacteria and use tampons, menstrual cups or diaphragms, among other things, are particularly affected, according to the medical manual
MSD Manuals
.
Tissue necrosis can occur within 48 hours and multiorgan failure can lead to death.
Around 30 percent of infections are fatal.
In the USA, a woman had her legs and arms amputated after an STSS.
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The exact reasons for the current spread of the bacterial infection in Japan are not yet fully understood.
“There are still many unknown factors regarding the mechanisms behind severe and sudden forms of streptococcal infections and we are not yet at the stage where we can explain them,” The
Guardian
quoted the National Institute of Infectious Diseases (NIID) as saying.
Increase due to less hygienic behavior?
Ministry of Health advises corona protective measures
Streptococci are transmitted through droplet or smear infection.
A STSS infection is usually treated in intensive care.
The number of cases this year is expected to surpass last year's record numbers, the Japanese newspaper
Asahi Shimbun
reported .
In 2023, 941 cases of STSS were reported.
In the first two months of this year alone, 378 cases were confirmed almost across the country.
Ken Kikuchi, a professor of infectious diseases at Tokyo Women's Medical University, said he was "very concerned" about the rapid rise in numbers.
He suspects that with the lifting of the corona restrictions, the population has given up behaviors to avoid infections, such as regular hand disinfection, as he told
The Guardian
.
The Japanese Ministry of Health therefore currently recommends taking the same hygiene measures that applied during the pandemic.
“We want people to take preventive measures such as keeping their fingers and hands clean and following cough rules,” Health Minister Keizo Takemi told The
Japan Times
earlier this year.
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