Streptococcus suis
Streptococcus suis, an important pathogen of pigs, is endemic in most pig-rearing countries of the world, including the UK. The organism is carried in the tonsils of pigs, and pig-to-pig spread is mainly by nose-to-nose contact or by aerosol over short distances. Human infection with Streptococcus suis is rarely reported and only about 150 cases have been reported from the world literature. Two serotypes have been implicated in human infections; S. suis type 2, an established zoonotic human pathogen and more recently S. suis type 14. Human infection may be severe, with meningitis, septicaemia, endocarditis, and deafness. People in direct contact with pigs or pig products are considered at risk. Asplenic patients are known to be at greater risk from the disease. Human infection is thought to occur mainly via cuts or abrasions when handling infected carcasses.
So how did it happen that we have infected people in these numbers all of a sudden?
Granted - it's not fictional - but damned rare. Seldom lethal to humans. Much different that this current outbreak. Bacterial infections such as this are easily taken care of with soap and water.
The ChiComs went fishing for a disease to blame this on, and came up with a lame one.
That new staph infection here in the US is also said to cause severe bleeding under the skin - but I haven't heard much about that lately.