Flesh-eating bacteria spread in Japan : 977 patients found infected

Tokyo (Japan) – A new dangerous disease has emerged in Japan, wherein bacteria eat the flesh of the patient’s body. The name of this disease is ‘Streptococcal Toxic Shock Syndrome’ (STSS). After contracting this disease, the patient dies within 48 hours. So far, 977 cases of the disease have been reported in Japan.

‘Group A Streptococcus (GAS) bacteria’ cause this disease. This disease is more dangerous for children and elderly. Infected patients first experience swelling of the feet and sore throat. Along with this, problems such as body aches, fever, low blood pressure, ‘necrosis’ (death of body tissue), difficulty in breathing and organ failure also occur, said Ken Kikuchi, a female doctor in Tokyo. Kikuchi urged people to wash their hands frequently and to treat open wounds immediately.

The disease has now spread to 5 countries in Europe. These include Britain, France, Ireland, Netherlands and Sweden. Dr Jagdish Hiremath, public health intellectual, said, ‘Healthcare authorities in Japan are constantly reviewing the situation to fight the disease. They are creating awareness among people through campaigns. The seriousness and dangers of this disease are being explained.’