A flesh-eating infection has claimed two victims at a Northern Ireland hospital in less than six months, it has emerged.
A Portadown woman died a few hours after being admitted to the A&E Department at Craigavon Area Hospital in Co Armagh.
She died two weeks ago and was the second fatal victim of the bacterial infection, necrotising fasciitisat the hospital.
A hospital spokeswoman sought to calm fears the disease could spread to other patients.
"Hospital cross-infection is not the source of such infections and they do not normally constitute a hazard to relatives or other persons in contact with the patient," she said.
The killer disease is caused by bacteria known as group A streptococcus which can exist harmlessly in the nose and throat and on the skin.
Symptoms include muscle pain followed by diarrhoea, nausea and thirst.
PA