By Marjory Inglis, health reporter

RELATIVES AND friends of two Tayport people diagnosed with an invasive form of infection have been given advice to try to prevent any spread.

Last night NHS Fife confirmed that two people had been admitted to Ninewells Hospital with an invasive form of group A streptococcal infection.

It is linked to the flesh eating condition necrotising fasciitis and general information from NHS Fife said “on rare occasions” the bacteria could cause severe and even life-threatening diseases.

The health authority said they had found “no significant risk” linking the two cases.

Tayport man Grant Dewar previously told The Courier how his arm swelled up to twice its normal size after he got a small cut on his finger while gardening.

He spoke of how surgeons battled to save his arm and told him he was within hours of having the limb amputated, when powerful antibiotics brought the rampant infection under control.

Last week plastic surgeons took skin from his thigh and grafted it on to a large wound on his arm.

Another person from Tayport is fighting for her life in Ninewells.

“It is rare for this type of bug to cause serious illness,” said Dr Charles Saunders, NHS Fife’s consultant in public health medicine. “We have found no significant risk linking these two people.

“We have provided information to close contacts on the precautions they need to take to reduce the risk of infection.”

Mr Dewar saw his wound for the first time yesterday on a visit to Ninewells to check the progress of the skin graft.

“It was not a bonny sight,” he said.

However, he reported that the plastic surgeon who examined his arm was “extremely happy with what he saw.”

Mr Dewar now faces regular visits to his GP practice to have his dressings changed every couple of days.

Further visits to Ninewells to check the progress of the graft are also planned, with the next return visit to the hospital in two weeks.

“Hopefully, it is onwards and upwards now. Fingers crossed.”