A rare and deadly flesh-eating bacterial infection, known as Streptococcal Toxic Shock Syndrome or STSS, is wreaking havoc in Japan.
The terrifying disease has recorded more than 1,000 cases as of June 18, based on data from the National Institute of Infectious Diseases (NIID).
The disease can be fatal within just 48 hours of infection and could lead to death.
97 deaths from STSS were reported in the whole of 2023 while 77 people died from the infection between January and March 2024.
Initial symptoms include sore throat, fever, diarrhea, loss of appetite, vomiting, muscle pain, and other gastrointestinal issues, which can quickly turn into a life-threatening scenario, such as low blood pressure, swelling, and multiple organ failure as the body goes into shock.
The terrifying disease can lead to soft tissue damage, respiratory failure, liver failure, kidney failure, and multi-organ failure if not treated right away.
But even with treatment, it can also be deadly, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Health officials are on high alert as the disease spreads faster in 2024 compared to 2023.
