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Press Release

For Immediate Release: January 28, 2000
Contact: CDC Media Relations (404) 639-3286

False Internet report about necrotizing fasciitis associated with bananas

The bacteria which most commonly cause necrotizing fasciitis frequently live in the human body. The usual route of transmission for these bacteria is from person to person. Sometimes, they can be transmitted in foods, but this would be an unlikely cause for necrotizing fasciitis. FDA and CDC agree that the bacteria cannot survive long on the surface of a banana.

For information about necrotizing fasciitis, check CDC's website at http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd/diseaseinfo/#G. Look under "Group A Streptococcus" which is the most common cause of necrotizing fasciitis. Or, call (404) 371-5375.

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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES