Man Says He Contracts Flesh-Eating Bacteria In CT Waters

NEW BRITAIN, CT — A New Britain contracted a flesh-eating bacteria that resulted in the amputation of his right leg after he went swimming at Hammonasset Beach State Park in Madison, according to NBC Connecticut. Bruce Kagan, 68, said he had a small cut when he went in the body of water, then was admitted to The Hospital of Central Connecticut on June 30 when he began to feel sick.

Doctors performed several surgeries on the leg, deciding on Aug. 1 to amputate above the knee to prevent the spread of a bacteria, necrotizing fasciitis.

He has now been moved to a local facility to begin rehabilitation. Kagan told NBC that he considers himself lucky and that "I don't know how I made it, but I did."

A doctor at the hospital said contracting this bacteria is still rare, but is increasing in the last decade especially among populations of those who are immune compromised or have severe liver disease.

In June, five people contracted Vibrio in New Jersey, with one person dying from the flesh-eating bacteria.

In those cases, one person contracted the disease while working in a restaurant; another got it while cleaning and ingesting crabs with an open wound. That person, who was 64, died. The other three got it while crabbing in the Delaware Bay.

Vibrio was previously only linked to warmer climate countries but there have been more reports of the bacteria striking in the US in recent years.

Another New Jersey man had to have his limbs removed after contracting necrotizing fasciitis in 2018, who was also crabbing when he caught the bacteria.

The bacteria is found in ocean water and liable to enter open wounds. The federal Centers for Disease Control said that seeking medical help quickly is key to begin antibiotic treatment and slow the rapid spread of the bacteria.

The infection often spreads very quickly and it's recommended to speak with your doctor immediately. The CDC said early symptoms of necrotizing fasciitis can include a red or swollen area of skin that spreads quickly, severe pain, and fever.

Other symptoms associated with this bacteria are varied but include dizziness, fatigue, diarrhea, nausea, pus and oozing from the infected area, ulcers, change in skin color, and blisters.

In 2019, there have been nine cases of necrotizing fasciitis nationwide, with six of them being the warmer Gulf of Mexico waters, The New York Post reported.