Urban Legend Zeitgeist: Go Ape!

Synopsis	Bananas from Costa Rica are infected with 'flesh-eating' bacteria that cause necrotizing fasciitis. See the hoax here.
Is it true?	No. It is a hoax.
Why?	Necrotizing fasciitis is caused by common strep-A bacteria. Necrotizing fasciitis is caused by strep-A infections through cuts and skin punctures, not by eating bananas. Necrotizing fasciitis occurs in the fascia (the covering of muscles), not the skin. 'Burning the flesh' is not a recommended treatment for necrotizing fasciitis. The 'Manheim Research Institute' does not exist.
When?	January 2000
Comments	Forwarded email is not a reliable source for medical information.
See also	SPECIAL ALERT: YOU CANNOT GET NECROTIZING FASCIITIS FROM BANANAS!!! from the National Necrotizing Fasciitis Foundation False Internet report about necrotizing fasciitis associated with bananas from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) When Strep Turns Deadly from the Johns Hopkins Health Insider Flesh-Eating Bananas! from About.com Banana Fits from the Urban Legends Reference Pages

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