He noted that Wichita is a regional health care referral center. One patient was from Oklahoma, one from Dodge City, one from Winfield or Wellington. The others were from the Wichita area but seem to have nothing in common, he and Valerie Rohlman, also an infectious disease specialist, said. Both said there is no reason to postpone elective surgery because of fears of necrotizing fasciitis. It is more important to be aware of symptoms and to seek medical attention for them.
Rapid treatment is essential.
Necrotizing fasciitis can cause death in 24 hours and is fatal in a fourth to a third of the cases. It is treated with antibiotics and debridement, in which the affected tissue is surgically removed.