Photo/Illutration The group A streptococcus (Provided by National Institute of Infectious Diseases)

Health authorities are calling on travelers not to cancel trips to Japan despite an outbreak of a rare but potentially fatal “flesh-eating disease.” 

Although cases of streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (STSS) are growing at an alarming rate, officials cautioned there was no need for panic.

They said basic steps such as hand washing, wearing a face mask and keeping wounds clean are effective in preventing infection.

Concerns about travel to Japan reached fever pitch after reports in the European media in March of “a dangerous infectious disease” spreading at a record pace.

North Korea canceled the Asian qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup soccer tournament scheduled to be held in Pyongyang, citing “epidemic prevention for the contagious disease spreading in Japan.”

To reassure potential visitors, a ministry official noted that the World Health Organization did not recommend limiting travel to Europe in 2022 when STSS cases surged there.

STSS is a rare, severe form of infection caused by the bacterium streptococcus pyogenes, which usually causes acute pharyngitis, or strep throat, in childhood.

Cases tend to surge in April and May when the new school term begins. The disease can rapidly cause necrosis of muscle tissue and multiple organ failure. Patients are mainly those in their 30s and older, and an estimated 30 percent of STSS cases end in death because symptoms can suddenly worsen.

A record 941 cases of infection were reported in Japan last year, according to the National Institute of Infectious Diseases, citing preliminary figures.

As of March 24 this year, 556 cases had already been reported nationwide.

Since the latter half of 2023, patients with a highly contagious variant of the pathogen circulating in Europe and the United States have been increasing, mainly in the Kanto region.

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