Health Authorities Urge Calm Amidst Flesh-Eating Disease Outbreak in Japan
Health authorities in Japan are urging travelers not to cancel their trips despite an outbreak of streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (STSS), a rare but potentially fatal "flesh-eating disease." While the number of cases is rising, officials emphasize that basic hygiene measures like hand washing, wearing masks, and keeping wounds clean can effectively prevent infection.
Concerns about travel to Japan escalated after reports in European media in March highlighted the "dangerous infectious disease" spreading rapidly. This led to North Korea canceling the Asian qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup soccer tournament scheduled for Pyongyang, citing concerns about the "contagious disease spreading in Japan."
To reassure potential visitors, a ministry official pointed out that the World Health Organization did not recommend limiting travel to Europe in 2022 when STSS cases surged there.
A Rare but Serious Infection
STSS is a severe form of infection caused by the bacterium streptococcus pyogenes, commonly known for causing strep throat in children. Cases tend to increase in April and May with the start of the new school year. The disease can rapidly cause muscle tissue necrosis and multiple organ failure, primarily affecting individuals in their 30s and older. Sadly, around 30% of STSS cases result in death due to the rapid worsening of symptoms.
Japan witnessed a record 941 cases of STSS in 2023, according to preliminary figures from the National Institute of Infectious Diseases. As of March 24, 2024, 556 cases had already been reported nationwide. Since the latter half of 2023, a highly contagious variant of the pathogen, circulating in Europe and the United States, has been increasingly detected in the Kanto region of Japan.
While the situation warrants awareness, health authorities emphasize that basic hygiene practices and seeking medical attention for any suspicious symptoms remain the best defense against STSS.