'Flesh-eating' bacterium infections hit record high in Japan

TOKYO (Bernama-Xinhua): Streptococcal toxic shock syndrome, a potentially fatal illness caused by a "flesh-eating" bacterium, is increasing notably across Japan, with cases in the first half of this year already exceeding last year's record, local media has reported on Tuesday.

There have been 977 confirmed cases of the disease caused by the bacterium called streptococcus pyogenes which is often associated with strep throat but occasionally leads to limb necrosis and multiple organ failure, Kyodo News reported, citing a national infectious disease institute.