Connecticut Finds Third Case of Flesh and Muscle-Eating Bacteria

A third case of bacteria that can eat away muscle and flesh was reported Monday and doctors tried to reassure the public that the strain does not affect most people.

“As far as we’re concerned, it’s not a public health problem . . . . We’re talking about a very rare disease,” said Dr. James Hadler, chief epidemiologist for the state Health Department.

A man and a woman, both in their 30s, were admitted separately to Norwalk Hospital last month with virulent forms of the streptococcus bacterium. Another case was reported to state health officials Monday but a spokesman said he did not have specifics.

The man hospitalized last month remains in critical condition. He was diagnosed with necrotizing fasciitis, which eats away the flesh. The woman was diagnosed with pyomyositis, which attacks muscle tissue, and was in satisfactory condition.

Necrotizing fasciitis gained attention last month when Britain’s Public Health Laboratory Service reported 15 people had been diagnosed with the disease this year and 11 of them had died.