Hospital reports flesh-eating bacteria cases
(CNN) -- One patient has died and another remains in serious condition in the wake of several cases of necrotizing fasciitis, more commonly known as "flesh-eating bacteria," first diagnosed at the Surgicentre of St. Joseph Hospital in Saint John, New Brunswick, late last week.
Both patients underwent unspecified surgery at St. Joseph Hospital early last week.
"One patient died on Friday, and another patient remains in isolation and under observation but is doing quite well and is responding to antibiotics," said Patricia Crowdis, spokeswoman for St. John Regional Hospital in New Brunswick on Monday.
About 50 people who were thought to be potentially at risk to this bacteria were screened at St. John Regional Hospital on Friday as a precaution. Five were identified as at-risk and kept in isolation during the weekend.
Two of the five diagnosed as at-risk later tested positive for necrotizing fasciitis. They remained under observation. The other three were released Monday morning.
"Although rare, necrotizing fasciitis is not unheard of," said Crowdis.
It is believed that this outbreak was the result of several streptococcus group A infections at St. Joseph Hospital.
"There are no new cases and those cases that have been diagnosed are responding well to treatment," said Crowdis.
