SECOND PERSON DIES FROM FLESH-EATING INFECTION

HEALTH chiefs have said that there is no risk to the public following the death of a second person from a rare flesh eating infection at Craigavon Area Hospital.

The Department of Health Social Services and Public Safety confirmed that a woman died from the disease two weeks ago. It is understood that another person had died from a similar infection six months ago.

A hospital spokesperson confirmed that a woman had died from the disease, necrotizing fasciitis, but said that the case was not the result of hospital-acquired cross infection.

While the bacteria is usually harmlessly carried in the throat and nose the rare flesh-eating condition is caused when Group A Streptococcus attacks soft tissues such as muscle and fat. Such cases usually occur following a cut or abrasion that allows the bacteria to enter a wound. Certain strains of the bug can cause a rapid breakdown of the tissues surrounding the site of infection. In some cases the spread of infection and the severe tissue damage can cause shock and multiple organ failure leading to death.

Despite a cluster of cases in Gloucestershire in the early 1990s the flesh-eating bug is rare.

Although the two recent cases in Craigavon Area Hospital have led to fears of an outbreak, health officials have pointed out that the bug is not normally transmitted by contact with the patient and there is no reason for other patients, relatives or people who had recently been in contact with the patient to be concerned. (SP)