'Cannibal' bacteria attack more than 500 people in Japan

More than 500 people in Japan have been infected with STSS, also known as 'cannibalism' this year.

Asahi Shimbun cited data from the Japan National Institute of Infectious Diseases, saying about 525 people in the country have been infected with streptococcal shock syndrome (STSS) in 2017. This disease causes leg necrosis and Internal organs, causing patients to die within a few hours.

Group A streptococcus can cause dangerous infections.

Among STSS cases, 66 in Tokyo, 40 in Kanagawa, 32 in Aichi, 31 in Fukuoka and 28 in Hyogo. Most patients are over 30 years old.

STSS has attracted recent attention after former model and American athlete Lauren Wasser shared the story of her infection '' due to use for too long . As a result, she had her right leg removed.

The disease is usually transmitted through contact with an infected wound and begins with symptoms of fever, swelling and pain in the legs and arms. When bacteria spread throughout the bloodstream, they bowed their heads "to" internal organs and meat, causing patients to fall into a coma, confusion and even death.

According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the mortality rate of STSS patients is very high, reaching more than 50%. Even so, the disease can be treated early with antibiotics or removal of necrotic parts.