Japanese Officials Warn About Spike In Potentially Lethal Strep Throat Infections

Reuters Pan-Asia reports, “Japanese health authorities have warned about a jump in potentially deadly strep throat infections, with cases running about three times higher than last year in Tokyo.” Cases “of streptococcus bacteria of the throat are being diagnosed at quadruple the pace of the past five years, according to a health ministry report earlier this month.” This year, “through March 10, Japan recorded 474 cases of the more serious streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (SSTS), which has a fatality rate of up to 30%.” SSTS “happens when the infection spreads throughout the body, potentially causing organ failure.”