Perez has been hospitalized for about a month since he contracted the flesh-eating bacteria. (FOX29)
A New Jersey father who contracted a flesh-eating bacteria while crabbing in early July will be transferred to hospice care. Angel Perez's daughter said that the 60-year-old's condition deteriorated in the last few days due to the spread of the infection.
Perez’s condition appeared to be improving until the gangrene spread to both his feet, hands and forearms, his daughter, Dilena Perez-Dilan, told NJ Advance Media on Tuesday. The family announced nearly two weeks ago that Perez most likely needed some of his fingers and toes amputated to prevent the infection from spreading.
"He's in a lot of a pain," Perez-Dilan told the news site. "I said, 'Daddy don't leave me yet,' and he gave me that nod.”
His family said he suffers from Parkinson's, which puts him at an increased risk for severe infection. (Fox 29)
The family decided to transfer Perez to hospice care so he can be comfortable, according to the report. Perez, who remains in the intensive care unit at Cooper University Hospital in Camden, is expected to be moved some time this week.
NEW JERSEY DAD INFECTED WITH FLESH-EATING BACTERIA WHILE CRABBING TO LOSE FINGERS, SOME TOES
On July 2, Perez went on a crabbing trip at Matt’s Landing in Maurice River. A day later, he noticed his skin was blistering and all four limbs had begun to swell and change color.
Doctors believe Vibrio bacteria, which is often found in warmer waters where the river meets the sea, is behind the aggressive infection. And it's even more dangerous for Perez, who has a weakened immune system due to Parkinson’s disease.
His family remained hopeful in the weeks following the initial infection. They previously thought amputating some fingers and toes would stop the infection and pave a road to recovery for Perez. But complications arose, including some that affected his kidney function. Perez has also been placed on dialysis.
Fox News’ Jennifer Earl contributed to this report.