Ask HN: Japanese peeps, what is with the flesh eating bacteria outbreak in Japan

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=40839232

by sillyfluke • 2 years ago

7 8 2 years ago

news.ycombinator.com

sillyfluke3• 2 years ago

I was warned by a Japanese acquaintence not to travel to Japan because of the outbreak. How serious is it really?

reify• 2 years ago

Outbreak? what does that mean?

Is it 10 people or 10,000 people. Living is a risk.

Without taking risks you cannot have a life.

streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (STSS).

you get infected with Streptococcus bacteria through skin wounds, surgery, and the use of tampons and other devices, such as menstrual cups, contraceptive sponges or diaphragms etc.

I am assume that a shaving cut or a rabid dog hanging off your finger or a shark gnawing your leg off while surfing could cause it as well.

so you get infected by the bacteria, then your body becomes overwhelmed and you go into toxic shock.

Like eating a peanut if you have a peanut allergy, or any allergy for that matter.

sillyfluke3• 2 years ago

you get infected with Streptococcus bacteria through skin wounds, surgery, and the use of tampons and other devices, such as menstrual cups, contraceptive sponges or diaphragms etc.

It's not that clear cut:

“However, experts don’t know how the bacteria got into the body for nearly half of people who get STSS,” the CDC said on its website.

Since it was a Japanese person that warned me, it made be feel the situation is being under reported.

It also has a 30% death rate which is extremely high.

farseer• 2 years ago

Basic hygiene practices often mitigate such infections. I wonder what is being neglected here? Without further data on the demographics and lifestyle of those infected, its hard to make any conclusions.

mitchbob• 2 years ago

Is it 10 people or 10,000 people.

Cases of streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (STSS) reached 977 this year by June 2, higher than the record 941 cases reported for all of last year, according to the National Institute of Infectious Diseases, which has been tracking incidences of the disease since 1999. [1]

[1] https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-06-15/flesh-eat...

rolph• 2 years ago

Flesh-Eating Bacteria That Can Kill in Two Days Spreads in Japan [Jun 18, 2024]

https://www.unmc.edu/healthsecurity/transmission/2024/06/18/...

sillyfluke3• 2 years ago

"South Korea’s Disease Control and Prevention Agency cautioned travelers visiting Japan of the risks of STSS, citing the rise in cases, according to local media reports."

That was at the end of March, it hasn't improved apparently.

drzzhan• 2 years ago

I heard from my relatives about this too. I barely hear about it. I push it off but honestly I have no idea if it is serious or not.

Ask HN: Japanese peeps, what is with the flesh eating bacteria outbreak in Japan

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