Flesh-eating Bacteria Cases On the Rise - FOX 42: Omaha News, Sports and Weather; kptm.com |

Flesh-eating Bacteria Cases On the Rise

Three serious cases of "flesh-eating" bacteria or otherwise known as necrotizing fasciitis, in Georgia are grabbing national headlines.

The Nebraska Medical Center is helping area patients with similar conditions.

Patients have been known to lose limbs once catching the disease. And although this bacteria is very rare, it can also be very deadly. Doctors say 30 to 40 percent of people die once they get the bacteria. Though, doctors say it mainly affects people with low immunities.

The Nebraska Medical Center has treated six people with the disease in the past month. Doctors at the center say that is more than usual around here, but say there's no epidemic to worry about.

Jane Bisenius of Iowa caught the "flesh-eating" bacteria in April. She was in Omaha visiting when she noticed a small red rash appear on her arm. The pain got worse and it began to itch.

She went to the Emergency Room at NMC and they were able to help her beat the disease. She had surgery on her arm and had to be treated by hyperbaric oxygen therapy. The therapy puts the patients inside of a vacuum like tube. Pressure in the tube is dropped to three percent of normal atmospheric pressure.

Dr. Jeff Cooper said today in a news conference, "It is like being in an airplane that is going down and you get some pressure on your ears."

The pressure increases the amount of oxygen in the tissue and helps kill the bacteria. Bisenius is now recovering from the surgery and the treatment. She now has a scar that runs from her elbow to her hand.

She told Fox 42 that it is a reminder of this bacterium almost took her life.

"If it is a reminder that can help others stay safe and have good medical care that's a good reminder," she said.

Common signs that show you have the bacteria include increased amounts of pain, swelling, a fever, and you feel week. If you think you have the bacteria you are asked to seek medical help immediately.