Alert for deadly flesh-eating bacteria, almost a thousand infected: symptoms and risks

Japan issued a health alert by streptococcal toxic shock disease better known as carnivorous bacteria (o like meat) which has already caused almost a thousand infections in 2024 and the authorities are asking to take precautions to prevent it from spreading further, and they report what the symptoms and the people at risk.

He National Institute of Infectious Diseases of Japan issued a statement in March and warned that the syndrome streptococcal toxic shock (STSS) was on the rise in the country.

Chile also issued a health alert for the flesh-eating bacteria

Meanwhile, in Chile, between January and May 2024, there have been 191 cases of contagion by the flesh-eating bacteria and the concern in both countries is that, in severe cases, it could cause death in 2 days.

Alert in Japan for deadly flesh-eating bacteria, almost a thousand infected

Until June 2, the National Institute of Infectious Diseases reported 977 cases of infection by the flesh-eating bacteria in Japan since the beginning of 2024, exceeding the 941 of last year, for which the health alert was issued.

The organism tracks the incidence of the disease since 1999. In the first two months of 2024, 378 cases were reported, and infections had been identified in all but two of Japan’s 47 prefectures.

Experts They considered that the rapid increase in cases Last year was related to the lifting of restrictions imposed during the pandemic coronavirus.

He streptococcal toxic shockbetter known as carnivorous bacteriais a infection bacterial “rare, but serious” which can “very quickly become a life-threatening emergency,” according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

What are the symptoms of flesh-eating bacteria?

• The first symptoms of the STSS often include: fever, chills, muscle aches, nausea, vomiting.
• However, the Japanese Ministry of Health adds that people also experience Pain and swelling in arms and legs.
• After 24 to 48 hoursusually develops low blood pressure and can cause more serious problems, such as organ failureincrease in the heart rate and rapid breathing, even the death.
• “Even with treatment, STSS can be fatal. Of every 10 people with STSS, up to three will die from the infection,” the CDC says.

Ignacio Lopez-Goñimember of the SEM (Spanish Society of Microbiology) and Professor of Microbiology, University of Navarra, wrote in The Conversation that “the most serious manifestations of infection by this bacteria are Toxic shock syndrome and necrotizing fasciitis“.

He details that “as regards the necrotizing fasciitisis an infection that develops in the subcutaneous tissue and is characterized by destruction or necrosis of muscle and fatty tissue. This is where the name “flesh-eating bacteria” comes from.

Symptoms of Flesh-Eating Bacteria in Older Adults

• Older adults may experience cold-like symptoms, but in rare cases, symptoms may worsen and include pharyngitis strep, tonsillitis, pneumonia, and meningitis.
• In the most severe cases in grandparents it can cause organ failure and necrosisthe media reported The Guardian.
• Flesh-eating bacteria is more common in adults aged 65 years or older.

Since the end of 2022, several countries have seen increasing rates, including the United Kingdom, Ireland, France, the Netherlands and Sweden.

20minutos detailed that “a peculiarity of the M1UK strain of S. pyogenes is that it carries a ‘hypertoxin’ (called SpeA) that makes it most virulent than other known variants. However, it should be noted that, as with other strains, the bacteria has a low mortality rate and a reduced complication rate.”

What does flesh-eating bacteria produce?

The flesh-eating bacteria that is causing a health alert in Japan It enters the tissue through a wound, a viral infection with blisters, burns or surgery and could be fatal.

The doctor Celine Goundermedical collaborator of CBS News, infectious disease expert and general editor for public health at KFF Health Newshe added that “less frequently (…) causes infections in the blood and lungsas well as carnivorous infections.

“Approximately between 30% y 60% of people who suffer from these infections more serious will die from them“.

Celine Gounder

Who is at risk from flesh-eating bacteria?

Gouder added that people at risk from the flesh-eating bacteria are those who “have been in close contact with someone with severe infections from the Group A Streptococcus and who are immunocompromised, are pregnant or have open wounds should receive antibiotics to prevent infection.”

He explained that “because the Chickenpox and influenza are risk factors for serious infection “because of the bacteria, vaccination against varicella zoster virus and influenza can reduce the risk of serious infection.”

Ignacio Lopez-Goñi He wrote that “Microorganisms evolve and new strains emerge or variants that may be more virulent and transmissibleOn the other hand, we have already seen with Covid-19 that the best way to transmit a bacteria or a virus is to have a lot of people, very close together and moving around the planet, and that is precisely what current globalization is.

“In addition, we have increasingly better systems for monitoring and detecting pathogens: if you look harder, you end up finding them.

“Finally, although not everyone agrees, there could be a certain ‘community debt’.

“This means that, with the Covid-19 pandemic, many community viral and bacterial infections have practically disappeared. But since the winter of 2022, a reemergence of many of these infections has been observed, especially in the pediatric population.”

How to avoid flesh-eating bacteria?

“Outbreaks like these speak of the need for continuous monitoring and control of infectious diseases, not only in the United States, but around the world,” Gounder said.

The Ministry of Health of Japan recommends that people take the same Basic hygiene precautions against streptococcus A that became part of everyday life during the coronavirus pandemic.

“We want people to take Preventive measures, such as keeping fingers and hands clean and to have good manners when coughing“Health Minister Keizo Takemi told reporters earlier this year, according to the Japan Times.

Other risk factors are infections or lesions that break the skin, other health factors, including diabetes and alcohol use disorder.

In addition, the risk factor’s of serious group A strep infections, Gounder said, include trauma, surgery, burns, immunosuppression, pregnancy, diabetes, injection drug use, and chickenpox or influenza infection.

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