Man treated for flesh-eating disease

May 20, 2013

The Centre for Health Protection is investigating a case of necrotising fasciitis, or flesh-eating disease, involving a 43-year-old man.
 
He was pricked by a fish while working in a restaurant on May 8 and fell ill the following day. He was admitted to hospital on May 10.
 
He tested positive for Vibrio vulnificus, a type of bacteria that causes necrotising fasciitis. He is in stable condition.
 
Necrotising fasciitis is a serious bacterial infection of the soft tissue and fascia. It can destroy tissue and cause death within 12 to 24 hours after infection.