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Dr Gérald Kierzek (Medical Director)
A “flesh-eating” bacteria capable of killing a person in just 48 hours has reportedly claimed several lives in Japan. Should we fear a spread of this new scourge? The response from Dr Gérald Kierzek, medical director of Doctissimo.
A carnivorous bacteria is reportedly spreading in Japan, where it has caused several dozen victims this year alone. The disease, caused by a rare “flesh-eating bacteria” would be formidable. As of June 2, 2024, the Japanese Ministry of Health had recorded 977 cases of streptococcal toxic shock syndrome with a mortality rate that can reach 30%. Between the months of January and March, 77 people died from it. .
What is this bacteria capable of killing in 48 hours?
The bacteria is, however, known: it is group A streptococcus (GAS). According to the Pasteur Institute, it is transmitted from man to man and is regularly responsible “common benign and non-invasive infections, such as angina and‘impetigoand also serious invasive infections: bacteremia, necrotizing skin infections, puerperal infections, pleuropneumopathies, meningitiswhich may be associated with streptococcal toxic shock syndromee”.
However, CNN reminds us, Streptococcus A can cause necrotizing fasciitis.flesh eater“can lead to loss of limbs and death in 30% of cases.”Even with treatment, streptococcal toxic shock syndrome can be fatal. Out of every 10 people with STSS, up to three people will die from the infection“, reports the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
This is exactly what is happening in Japan now: “A patient notices swelling of the foot in the morning, this may extend to the knee by midday and he may die within 48 hours“, warns Ken Kikuchi, professor of infectious diseases at Tokyo Women’s Medical University.
Should we be worried about this spread?
If Japan begins to count its victims, should we still fear a new global spread of an infectious scourge? No, for our medical director, Dr. Gérald Kierzek. Because as impressive as this bacteria is, it is neither new nor unknown.
“This bacteria, group A streptococcus found in the throat, is present all over the world, including in France, and around 10% of children are asymptomatic carriers. It generally causes benign illnesses such as angina, scarlet fever or impetigo.
So we already live with it. In rare cases, however, it can reach the blood and cause serious infections with tissue necrosis (necrotizing fasciitis) and organ failure. “But it happens in vulnerable people such as infants, the elderly, immunocompromised people or people with diabetes, or even after a corticosteroid injection or via a skin entry point.”
“Although highly publicized, this situation does not represent a new pandemic comparable to Covid-19, the bacteria having been known for a long time” insists our expert.
What precautions should you take against group A streptococcus?
No reason to cancel your trip to Japan if you already have the tickets in hand or if this is your next plan. The only precautions to be taken by experts: hygiene.
In his alert, Professor Kikuchi recalls the importance of respecting scrupulous hand hygiene and quickly treating an open wound to avoid the proliferation of bacteria.
For Dr Kierzek, it is also about reacting and consulting quickly in the event of ““closet” skin redness that spreads, necrotizes or progresses rapidly with or without fever. To find out if the redness is getting worse, he shares one last tip:
“In the event of a lesion, simply draw the outline with a marker to see if it is regressing or progressing!”
Slide: Diseases fatal in less than 24 hours