Record Number of Streptococcal Toxic Shock Syndrome Cases in Japan: Unraveling the Mystery Behind the Surge

Japan
Japan is experiencing a record spike in streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (STSS) cases, with 977 recorded cases as of June 2, 2024.
Older people with open wounds are at an increased risk of contracting STSS. Prompt treatment and good hygiene practices can help prevent the spread of this dangerous infection.
STSS is caused by group A streptococcus bacteria and can lead to invasive group A strep infections, which can cause serious illnesses such as toxic shock and death.
The reasons for the recent surge in STSS cases are unclear, with some experts suggesting weakened immune systems due to Covid-19 restrictions and others pointing to increased socialization as potential causes.
The World Health Organization (WHO) and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are closely monitoring the situation in Japan and investigating potential causes for the rise in cases.
Record Number of Streptococcal Toxic Shock Syndrome Cases in Japan: Unraveling the Mystery Behind the Surge

Japan is currently experiencing a record spike in cases of streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (STSS), a rare and potentially deadly bacterial infection. According to reports from the Health Ministry, as of June 2, 2024, there have been 977 recorded cases of STSS in Japan. This number surpasses the previous record in 1999 and represents a significant increase compared to last year's figures. The mortality rate for STSS is up to 30%, making it a serious concern for public health.

STSS is caused by group A streptococcus (GAS) bacteria, which can produce fever and throat infections in children. In rare cases, these bacteria can produce toxins that enable them to gain access to the bloodstream, leading to invasive group A strep (iGAS) infections. These invasive bacterial infections can cause serious illnesses such as toxic shock and even death.

The reasons for the recent surge in STSS cases remain unclear. Some experts suggest that weakened immune systems due to Covid-19 restrictions may be contributing factors, as people were less exposed to bacteria during the pandemic. However, others point to the relaxation of these restrictions and increased socialization as potential causes.

Older people with open wounds are at an increased risk of contracting STSS. Prompt treatment and good hygiene practices, such as regular hand washing, can help prevent the spread of this dangerous infection.

The World Health Organization (WHO) and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are closely monitoring the situation in Japan and investigating potential causes for the rise in cases. It is important to note that STSS is a rare but serious bacterial infection, and it can be fatal if not treated promptly.

For more information on this developing story, please stay tuned to reputable news sources for updates.


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Confidence

91%

Doubts
  • It's not clear if there have been any changes to diagnostic criteria or reporting practices that could be contributing to the increase in recorded cases.
  • The exact cause of the recent surge in STSS cases remains unclear.

Sources

99%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

Japan reports record spike in potentially deadly bacterial infection

Entertainment Variety Tv Site: https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/tv-site/ Helen Regan, Monday, 17 June 2024 11:14
  • Unique Points
    • As of June 2, Japan recorded 977 cases of streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (STSS)
    • 97 deaths due to STSS were reported in Japan last year
    • The reason for the rise in cases of STSS in Japan remains unclear
  • Accuracy
    • 977 cases of STSS were recorded as of June 2, 2024.
    • The mortality rate of STSS is up to 30% and there were 77 deaths between January and March.
    • Most STSS cases are caused by group A streptococcus (GAS) bacteria which mainly produces fever and throat infections in children.
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

98%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

Japan reports record spike in potentially deadly bacterial infection

WFFT-TV FOX 55 Helen Regan, Monday, 17 June 2024 06:55
  • Unique Points
    • Japan reported a record number of 977 cases of streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (STSS) as of June 2, 2024.
    • The mortality rate of STSS is up to 30% and there were 77 deaths between January and March, surpassing the previous record in 1999.
    • Older people with open wounds are at increased risk of contracting STSS.
  • Accuracy
    • ]Japan reported a record number of 977 cases of streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (STSS) as of June 2, 2024.[
    • Invasive group A strep infections have increased since July 2023, especially among those under 50 years of age.
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

95%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

Rare ‘flesh-eating bacteria’ that can kill in 2 days spreads in Japan: Will it affect the rest of the world?

The Indian Express Lifestyle Desk Sunday, 16 June 2024 06:45
  • Unique Points
    • Japan has recorded nearly 1000 cases of streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (STSS) in 2023, surpassing last year’s numbers.
    • People over 50 are more vulnerable to severe outcomes of STSS.
    • Maintaining good hygiene, such as regular hand washing and prompt treatment of any skin injuries, is crucial to prevent STSS.
  • Accuracy
    • As of June 2, Japan recorded 977 cases of streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (STSS)
    • Japan reported a record number of 977 cases of streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (STSS) as of June 2, 2024.
    • Most STSS cases are caused by the group A streptococcus (GAS) bacteria
    • Invasive group A strep infections have increased since July 2023, especially among those under 50 years of age in Japan
  • Deception (80%)
    The article by Lifestyle Desk from Indian Express uses sensational language in the title and body to grab the reader's attention. The term 'flesh-eating bacteria' is used to create fear and alarm. While it is true that STSS can be deadly, the use of this term is misleading as it implies that the bacteria itself eats flesh, which is not accurate. Additionally, there are instances of selective reporting where only details that support the author's position are reported. For example, the number of cases in Japan this year and last year are mentioned to emphasize the increase in STSS cases without providing context about the total number of cases or population size. The article also quotes Dr Jagadish Hiremath extensively, but it is not clear if he is an expert on STSS specifically or if he has any affiliation with the Indian Express. This lack of transparency could potentially be misleading to readers.
    • Japan has already recorded nearly 1,000 cases this year alone, surpassing last year’s numbers.
    • With Covid-19 restrictions easing, people are socialising more, increasing the spread of infections.
    • What exactly is STSS? What makes it so deadly?
    • A chilling rise in cases of a rare but lethal human flesh-eating bacterial infection has gripped Japan
  • Fallacies (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication