据日本公共广播巨头NHK于周三发布的惊人消息，链球菌中毒性休克综合症（STSS）病例正以前所未有的速度席卷日本，这一由凶险异常的“食肉”病原体引发的疾病引发了全国性的公共卫生警觉。    "As a mark of respect for the victims of the senseless acts of gun violence perpetrated on our Independence Day, July 4, 2022, in Highland Park, Illinois, …, I hereby order that the flag of the United States shall be flown at half-staff at the White House and upon all public buildings and grounds, at all military posts and naval stations, and on all naval vessels of the Federal Government in the District of Columbia and throughout the United States and its Territories and possessions," the proclamation said.,US flags will remain at half-staff until sunset July 9, the proclamation said.,Police: Highland Park Gunman Wore Women's Clothing During Shooting Spree to Blend Into Fleeing Crowd16:40 GMT,On Monday, a 21-year-old gunman shot and killed six people and injured three dozen during the Independence Day parade in Highland Park, Illinois. City officials said the shooter purchased the rifle legally.,The shooter fired on the Independence Day parade crowd from a nearby roof. There were at least 11 mass shootings on Independence Day, which left 51 people injured.。

据统计，至5月5日，日本国立传染病研究所在今年已记录大约801例STSS病例，与去年同期相比，病例数近乎三倍增长。仅第一季度，该国就报告了超过500例STSS感染案例，情况严峻。

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STSS以其高达30%的高致命率让人闻之色变，一旦感染扩散至全身，后果不堪设想。

三 | 专家警告，这种被冠以“食肉”之名的细菌能导致四肢坏死及多器官功能衰竭，患者初期可能表现出喉咙痛、发热、腹泻、呕吐及极度疲劳等症状。医疗专业人士强调，开放性伤口可能成为感染的入口，需高度警惕。

该病种主要侵扰30岁以上人群，尤其对老年人群构成了极大威胁，有时甚至可致致命。

四 |

医学界指出，日本当前的疫情与特定的A群链球菌M1UK型株相关联，该菌株被美国疾病控制与预防中心认定具有高度传染性，并在全球范围内呈现上升趋势。

NHK指出，相较于去年全年登记的最高记录941例，今年的病例增长速度更为迅猛，预示着前所未有的疫情挑战。

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据路透社此前报道，三月间STSS病例的激增还导致朝鲜国家足球队紧急取消了在日本进行的世界杯预选赛行程。

藤田健康大学传染病学教授本田仁在3月接受采访时澄清，STSS并非肺炎或COVID-19那样的呼吸道疾病，不易引起大规模流行，但他强调：“此病通过飞沫传播，保持手部清洁对于防止侵袭性链球菌感染至关重要。”

至于感染快速蔓延的具体原因，日本医疗卫生部门尚在调查中，但专家推测，防疫措施放宽后链球菌性咽炎的增多可能是背后的一个重要因素。