Sydney pair contract flesh eating disease

Two people have been admitted to a western Sydney hospital with a rare infection commonly known as the flesh-eating disease.

The 57-year-old man and 46-year-old woman, who are currently in a stable condition in Blacktown Hospital, contracted the disease in Polynesia, the Western Sydney Local Area District said on Tuesday.

"There is no risk to public health and the community should not be alarmed," it said in a statement.

It's not yet known how the pair contracted the infection but the authorities say the cases are unrelated.

The rare disease, known as necrotising fasciitis, is a serious bacterial infection that enters the body through open wounds or small cuts and rapidly kills flesh and muscle.

Sufferers must be treated immediately to prevent a loss of limbs or organ failure, and are usually given powerful antibiotics and surgery to remove dead tissue.