Japan Only One of the Entities Seeing a Spike in Streptococcal Toxic Shock Syndrome (STSS)
With a mortality rate of nearly one-third, the 977 streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (STSS) cases in Japan, as of June 2, 2024, has resulted in 77 deaths – the most on record at this stage in the year since accurate tracking of the disease has been performed (going back to 1999). Last year there were 97 deaths over the full year, the second most even counted. The reporting indicates that number will be far surpassed this year. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed that there is a 1/3 mortality rate amongst those who are diagnosed with STSS.
The bacteria at issue is the group A streptococcus (GAS) bacteria. This most commonly affects children, and commonly leads to fever and throat infections. But in some cases, due to the toxin this bacteria produces, the bacteria is allowed to enter the bloodstream, and at times even invades major muscles or organs. The result is sepsis and deepening illness, including some cases where it manifests as a “flesh-eating” bacteria – known as necrotizing fasciitis – forcing amputation of limbs and body parts.
The phenomenon is NOT limited to Japan, either, with the World Health Organization, European countries, and the CDC reporting increases since 2022.
Both Japan’s Health Ministry and the CDC have stated that the most vulnerable populations include children, those over 50, and those with a compromised immune system.
Is there some link to Covid?
According to some scientists, the COVID epidemic meant people were having less exposure to bacteria, and that this may have limited human resistance enough to explain for the increase in streptococcal toxic shock syndrome. According to one professor at Tokyo Women’s Medical University, Dr. Ken Kikuchi: “We can boost immunity if we are constantly exposed to bacteria. But that mechanism was absent during the coronavirus pandemic. So, more people are now susceptible to infection, and that may be one reason for the sharp rise in cases.”
At present, it remains unclear if the increase in annual reports of streptococcal toxic shock syndrome will continue to rise, or if there will be a return to the mean following the post COVID era.
