Two people in Joplin have died from a fungal infection in their tornado wounds. Kendra Williams from the Green County Health department in Springfield says the fungus that causes it was kicked up into the air by the tornado.
The infections aren’t contagious, and because most people would have shown signs of infection by now, Williams says they probably won’t see any more cases of it.
She says the type of bacteria that causes this infection is native to the area, and these types of wounds are common during a disaster like this. Â She says the people who died from the infection probably had a medical condition before the tornado hit.
The fungus manifests itself in a wound and can cause swelling, pain and in some cases it can start to kill the skin. She said in really bad cases doctors can actually see the fungus growing in the wound.
(AUDIO) Allison Blood reports on the fungus that’s killing tornado victims Mp3 1:03
