Group A Streptococcus was discovered in Japan in 1999. The Japan Center for Infectious Diseases reports that people who are in close contact with an infected person and who share food and drinks with them are susceptible to this type of infection.
This type of bacterial infection usually causes inflammation and a sore throat. Doctors say joint pain, swelling, fever, low blood pressure, breathing problems, organ failure and death are also possible.
Especially, people above 50 years of age are affected by this infection. Japan’s National Center for Infectious Diseases has reported that the number of people infected with the bacteria has reached 1,000, more than last year.
Regarding the flesh-eating bacteria, Kenkiguchi, a professor of infectious pathology at Tokyo Medical University, said that most people who become infected with the bacteria die within 48 hours. Patients first notice swelling in the legs. Sometimes it extends up to the knee. They die within 48 hours.
At current infection rates in Japan, the number of people infected with the bacteria could reach 2,500. A shocking 30 percent of them are likely to die,” he said.
