Girl, 7, has several limbs amputated after contracting rare and deadly disease

A seven-year-old girl has been forced to endure the horror of having three limbs amputated after contracting a deadly bacterial infection.

Weeks earlier, Arizona-born Victoria Pasten-Morales suddenly came down with a fever one day, which quickly progressed to vomiting.

It was only when her hands and lips began turning blue that her parents began to suspect something very wrong, and rushed their daughter to their local emergency room.

Victoria's mother Odbulia later told Fox 10 that her daughter's health declined quicker than they ever thought possible.

"It occurred very fast," she explained. "We don’t know where it came from, but it all happened in less than 12 hours."

Her father Victor also told the publication: "Diseases come unexpectedly. From morning to night, everything can change in just one second."

The youngster was rushed to Phoenix Children’s Hospital where she was dealt the life-altering diagnosis.

Victoria had contracted Group A Streptococcus - known in the UK as Strep A - a bacteria that can lead to deadly diseases.

GoFundMe

For those unfamiliar with the condition, this type of bacteria is most commonly found on the skin or in the throat.

It can trigger a wide variety of skin, soft tissue and respiratory tract infections, all of which can range in severity from mild to life-threatening

But this diagnosis was the least of Victoria's concerns, after doctors broke the stomach-churning news that she'd have to have several of her limbs amputated.

Over the course of the last two weeks, the youngster has had both feet and her right hand removed, with her left hand still in a state of recovery.

The second-grader's lungs and kidneys have also been affected by the disease, meaning she'll be reliant on a ventilator during the hours she's awake.

According to the news outlet, though Victoria isn't in a condition where she's able to speak, she's been blowing kisses and nodding her head to her hospital visitors.

Fox 10

Speaking about her daughter's ailing health, her mother Odbulia told press: "Not even the doctors can tell us how she got this bacteria.

"It's not going to be easy for her. It's going to be hard but, she's strong. She's a warrior."

Ever since her heartbreaking diagnosis, followers of Victoria's courageous health battle have set up a GoFundMe page in the hope of accumulating some money for her family to help pay some of the medical bills they've been faced with.

So far, more than $28,000 has been raised for the Pasten-Morales family.

Topics: Health, US News, Parenting

Rhianna Benson

Rhianna is an Entertainment Journalist at LADbible Group, working across LADbible, UNILAD and Tyla. She has a Masters in News Journalism from the University of Salford and a Masters in Ancient History from the University of Edinburgh. She previously worked as a Celebrity Reporter for OK! and New Magazines, and as a TV Writer for Reach PLC.

@rhiannaBjourno