Despite Recent Cases, Infectious Disease Specialist says “Flesh Eating” Bacteria Still Very Rare

In the last few weeks, two women have been stricken with what’s often called flesh-eating bacteria; both cases have connections to the metro Atlanta Area.  Despite the terrible effects on the women and their families, one of the nation’s leading infectious disease specialists says cases like this are still extremely rare, and the risk to the general public is not increasing.  Dr. William Schaffner is the Chair of the Department of Preventive Medicine at the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine.  He spoke with WABE’s Denis O’Hayer.