The family of a Windsor-Essex woman who died after giving birth says she died from toxic shock, not flesh-eating disease.
On Monday, 30-year-old Stacey Harris died in London hospital about a month after child birth.. The confusion stems from the fact that both conditions are caused by group A streptococcal bacteria.
Dr. Wajid Ahmed, acting associate medical officer of health with the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit, says flesh-eating disease occurs when the bacteria attacks muscle tissue and connective tissue fibres. "When it's just the soft tissue that's infected, leading to a shock-type reaction in the body, it's referred to as streptococcal toxic shock syndrome."
Harris' family adds they're currently grieving the loss, and will make a public statement at a later date.
