Yellowknife (Dec 08/04) - The NWT's chief medical officer says a patient who contracted a case of deadly flesh-eating disease is back home and making a good recovery.

Dr. Andre Corriveau wouldn't say which community the patient is from, but it is believed the case originated from Fort McPherson and the patient is female.

Dr. Corriveau

Corriveau said prompt action from medical staff in the patient's home community likely saved her life. He said the infection started in the "groin area."

"It's a good news story in terms of the ending," said Corriveau.

"Hopefully there will be a complete recovery."

Health officials were notified of a possible case Nov. 26. Corriveau said the patient was sent to Stanton Territorial Hospital and then medevaced to an Edmonton hospital where surgery was performed.

He said the patient was discharged Dec. 2 and sent back home.

Corriveau said the disease can only be spread through close physical contact. He said family members and acquaintances of the patient were quickly notified when it became apparent that they were dealing with a probable case of flesh-eating disease.

"It's minimally infectious to close contact," said Corriveau.

"We had to notify a number of people that they may have been exposed and were advised to take antibiotics."

He said flesh-eating disease -- or necrotizing fasciitis, as it is known scientifically -- is fatal about 50 per cent of the time if not diagnosed and treated quickly.

Flesh-eating disease is an abnormal variation of a common bacteria called streptococcus group A. The bacteria causes strep throat and minor skin infections, but in severe cases it produces toxins that begin destroying flesh around muscle mass.

Normal antibiotics are usually not enough to stop the disease from spreading. Surgery or amputations are often required to remove infected flesh.

In his 10 years working in the NWT, Corriveau said there have been three confirmed cases of the disease reported to his office.

Gerry Uswak, chief executive officer of the Inuvik Health and Social Services Authority, declined to comment, citing patient confidentiality.