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Flesh-eating bacteria plagues nursing home

LTC Liability Monitor, April 8, 2004

After a Gainesville, GA, nursing home resident died of infection from flesh-eating bacteria-or necrotizing fasciitis-state health officials are investigating two other resident deaths that occurred shortly thereafter, reported the Associated Press (AP).

It remains unknown whether other residents at Bell Minor Home are afflicted. An estimated 10% of residents and staff tested positive for the bacteria Group A streptococus-serious forms of which cause necrotizing fasciitis, meningitis, pneumonia, and other infections-but are not currently sick.

Six hundred cases and 150 deaths related to the skin infection are reported in the U.S. each year, according to AP.

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