(Image Source: ABC)

BY ALEX BELCHER

You're watching multisource health news analysis from Newsy.

One tiny scratch could cause one young girl to lose her hand. Hannele Cox is facing a rare flesh-eating bacteria after scraping her hand on a fish tank.

Los Angeles- based KTLA has the latest on this super bug.

“It has been five years since Hannele Cox’s scraped hand was infected by mycobacterium marinum or fish tank Granuloma.  A bacteria so rare and invasive none of her doctors have been able to effectively treat it.”

What, exactly is Mycobacterium marinum? An infectious disease expert explains to ABC-- it’s...

“...a distant cousin to more serious infections like tuberculosis and leprosy, but it is ‘exceedingly rare’ for it to persist and travel deeper into the tissue as it has in Hannele.”

The infection has traveled to the bones, making it impossible for Hannele to perform simple tasks like writing.  Doctors are looking for a solution-- but nothing seems to work.

Hannele Cox: “I’ve been on tons and tons of medication and it hasn’t even worked.  I mean, and surgeries.  I’ve gone through two surgeries and they haven’t worked.”
(KCAL)

Hannele’s rare story has sparked awareness-- with one blogger for families.com noting-- experts say there’s no way to tell beforehand if a fish tank contains the dangerous bacteria.  

“It is important to note that Human Mycobacterium skin infections can be contracted from contaminated aquariums or fish that have tuberculosis…Food for thought the next time you or your child considers cleaning a fish bowl without wearing gloves.”

And another blogger for Aquaspire says—

“Us aquarium keepers need to keep an eye on the health of our fish and take precautions.
Personally, I try not to work on my tank if I have an obvious open cut on my hand….I also make sure to wash my hands after aquarium work…Even with precautions, I’m sure it’s still possible to get sick from your tanks. With anything, there’s risks associated with it “

The Daily Mail reports-- Hannele and her mother now plan to go to Denver to see a specialist who has successfully treated this kind of infection.



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