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Flesh-eating bacteria kill woman

JACKSONVILLE - A 45-year-old Jacksonville woman has died from flesh-eating bacteria she contracted while riding a personal watercraft on the St. Johns River, officials said.

Candace Scott died Aug. 3, Duval County health officials said.

One to three cases of flesh-eating bacteria are typically reported in the county each year, but deaths are rare, said Tim Lawther, director of chronic disease and prevention for the county's Health Department.

The bacteria that caused Scott's fatal infection typically enter the body through an open wound and absorbs into the bloodstream, Lawther said.

Scott's brother, Bill, said she had cut her leg the day she was at the river.

The infection takes its greatest toll on people with weakened immune systems or chronic illnesses such as diabetes, cancer or kidney disease. Scott was recently diagnosed with diabetes.

"At this point, we're not telling people to stay out of the water because of this one instance," Lawther said. "However, if you don't heal well and you have an open wound you should stay out of the water because that puts you at a higher risk."

[Last modified August 20, 2005, 01:14:08]