Lethal and rare infection leaves 12 dead in Essex – risk of more deaths

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Lethal and rare infection leaves 12 dead in Essex – risk of more deaths

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A RARE and deadly infection that spreads by touch has killed 12 people in Essex.

There have been a total of 32 reported cases of the bacterial infection in the county.
Public Health England have said that there is a “high risk” of further fatalities from the outbreak.
The bacteria can be carried harmlessly on the skin but can be lethal if it enters the bloodstream.

It can be passed from one person to another through simple skin contact, sneezing or kissing.

The outbreak started in Braintree and has since spread to Chelmsford and Maldon. The vulnerable are at risk with healthy people more able to shake off the infection.

Rachel Hearn, director of nursing and quality at Mid Essex clinical commissioning group (CCG) said that there is a very low risk “for the vast majority of people and treatment with antibiotics is very effective if started early.”
She continued: “We will continue to work with our partners in Public Health England (PHE) to investigate how this outbreak occurred and take every possible step to ensure our local community is protected.”
The infection can lead to a red or swollen patch on the skin and spreads quickly with pain and fever. Patients need rapid intravenous antibiotics and possibly surgery.

Dr Jorg Hoffman, deputy director of health protection for PHE East of England reportedly said: “This is still an ongoing outbreak. Unfortunately we have so far not been able to fully contain the situation.
“Obviously we are hoping that the efforts of our colleagues in the NHS and provider organisations are now bearing some fruit and we will be able to contain the situation and prevent further cases from happening.
“I cannot deny that there is still an ongoing risk until we can declare that this outbreak is over.”

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