Plagues, Pestilences and Diseases
November 5, 2010
Canada: Flesh-Eating Super-Bug Eating its Way Through Calgary's
Homeless
By CBC News
Calgary homeless shelters are being told to be on the lookout for
anyone with symptoms of flesh-eating super-bug disease after two cases
surfaced.
Over the past two weeks, four homeless people have arrived in emergency
rooms with Group A streptococcus infections. Two of those cases
developed into necrotizing fasciitis - more commonly known as
flesh-eating disease. The patients range in age from 18 to 55.
They weren't associated with any one shelter, so that's why all
shelters are being asked to tell their clients to seek immediate
medical attention if they're suffering fever, muscle aches, vomiting or
severe pain in any one area.
The communicable disease unit of Alberta Health Services has prepared
bulletins for homeless shelters to post, which includes information on
preventative measures like hand washing and not sharing items that have
been in other people's mouths.
Group A streptococcus is easily transmitted from person to person.
Flesh-eating disease is a rare bacterial infection that can destroy
muscles, skin and tissue and is spread only through direct contact.
The Public Health Agency of Canada estimates there are between 90 and
200 cases of necrotizing fasciitis per year in Canada, with as many as
30 per cent of those cases resulting in death.