A rare and dangerous infection called gas gangrene is spreading in the war-torn Ukraine, The Telegraph reports, citing Ukrainian doctors. The severe muscle infection was long thought to have been virtually eradicated in Europe, but has now returned amid the fighting.
Constant strikes by Russian drones make it difficult to evacuate wounded soldiers, creating favorable conditions for the development of infections. Gas gangrene is caused by Clostridium bacteria, which form gas bubbles under the skin, rapidly destroying muscle tissue. Without timely treatment, mortality can reach almost 100%.
"Such delays in evacuation have not been observed for over 50 years — perhaps since World War II, or maybe even earlier. We are facing a pathology that we have never encountered before," notes foreign volunteer medic Alex from Zaporizhia region.
Treatment typically involves surgical removal of infected tissue and intravenous administration of high doses of antibiotics. However, in conditions of active hostilities and limited access to medical facilities, initial wound care and medication administration are often not possible in a timely manner.
Dr Lindsay Edwards, senior lecturer in microbiology at King's College London, warns: "This is an extremely life-threatening infection: if untreated, the mortality rate is approaching 100 per cent."
