La Loche Woman Dies Of Flesh-Eating Disease

La Loche Woman Dies Of Flesh-Eating Disease

Monday, October 16, 2006 at 14:11

Health officials say it’s very unlikely that the flesh-eating disease that killed a La Loche woman last week has spread to others.

The victim has been identified as 51-year-old Jean Montgrand.

Northern medical officer of health Dr. James Irvine says the particular type of flesh-eating disease that Montgrand contracted has less of a tendency to spread from person to person than other strains.

Irvine notes people in close contact with Montgrand recently have been given antibiotics as a precaution.

Meanwhile, health officials are looking into whether there’s a connection between this case and a recent spike of respiratory illnesses in La Loche.

Irvine says about 30 residents have come down with lung infections, some of which have turned out to be pneumonia.

He expects to know more about a possible connection when test results come in later this week.