How to protect yourself against flesh-eating…
Let this sink in — a harmful, salt-obsessed bacterium is wreaking havoc along the Gulf Coast.
Several dozen circumstances of Vibrio vulnificus and 9 deaths have been reported so far this yr across Florida, Louisiana, North Carolina, Alabama and Mississippi.
The rod-shaped bacterium lurks in heat, brackish waters — it will probably enter your physique when you devour uncooked or undercooked shellfish, notably oysters, or expose an open wound to seawater.
Beware swimming in open water if you may have an open wound. Vibrio vulnificus may infect you. astrosystem – stock.adobe.com
“Vibrio has the potential to cause severe infections, including invasive soft tissue infections (sometimes called ‘necrotizing fasciitis’ or ‘flesh-eating bacteria’) and bloodstream infections,” Dr. Andrew Handel, a pediatric infectious illnesses specialist at Stony Brook Children’s Hospital, informed The Post.
Here’s what you need to know about this uncommon but doubtlessly lethal an infection.
What is Vibrio vulnificus?
Vibrio vulnificus was initially reported in medical literature in 1976, though it’s believed to date back to historic instances.
It’s half of the broader Vibrio genus of micro organism that dwell in coastal waters.
Vibrio vulnificus is a rod-shaped bacterium that lurks in heat, brackish waters. Giovanni Cancemi – stock.adobe.com
This group consists of Vibrio cholerae, the pathogen that causes the diarrheal illness cholera, which is often transmitted through contaminated food or water.
“There are more than 200 recognized species of marine (saltwater) Vibrios, but only a few species cause significant public health problems, particularly foodborne illness, skin infections and wound infections,” a spokesman for the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services informed The Post.
For its half, Vibrio vulnificus wants salt to survive, which is why it occupies heat seawater, particularly brackish environments, where freshwater and saltwater combine.
“It thrives in warm water, so cases tend to peak during the summer and are more common in the southern US around the Gulf Coast,” Handel mentioned.
Where have circumstances been reported?
The Florida Department of Health has logged 13 circumstances with 4 deaths as of July 24.
There have been 82 circumstances and 19 deaths final yr, up from 46 circumstances and 11 deaths in 2023.
Cases, which have a tendency to peak in the summer season, are more common along the Gulf Coast. kittyfly – stock.adobe.com
The company famous an “unusual increase” in infections in some elements of Florida final yr because of Hurricane Helene, which struck the state in September 2024.
Louisiana authorities have confirmed 17 circumstances, including 4 deaths, as of July 30.
They famous that the state sometimes information seven circumstances and a death each yr and blamed the uptick on “increasing water temperatures and extreme weather events.”
About 75% of the circumstances are from wound publicity to seawater.
North Carolina has recorded 59 Vibrio circumstances and one death this yr as of July 31. The knowledge consists of sicknesses from the vulnificus and cholera strains, as nicely as different Vibrio infections.
The Mississippi State Department of Health informed The Post it has confirmed 13 Vibrio reviews so far this yr, down from 50 final yr. No one died from Vibrio in 2024 or 2025.
Seafood consumption appears to be a common perpetrator. The state’s knowledge consists of circumstances from Vibrio parahaemolyticus, which tends to trigger watery diarrhea.
Alabama reported 18 circumstances of vibriosis this yr through late final month, according to native media, which mentioned there have been 54 circumstances in 2024.
What are the symptoms?
Vibrio vulnificus symptoms rely on the sort of an infection. Exposing an open cut to contaminated water may cause a high fever, intense ache, swelling and redness at the wound web site.
“The symptoms from skin infections can progress very quickly,” Handel mentioned.
Vibrio vulnificus can also enter your physique when you devour uncooked or undercooked shellfish, notably oysters. Ilja – stock.adobe.com
A gentle tissue an infection can lead to pores and skin breakdown, ulcers and fluid-filled blisters. Significant tissue harm can happen in extreme circumstances.
People who have eaten contaminated shellfish may expertise extreme vomiting and diarrhea, which can lead to dehydration. Stomach ache, fever and chills may comply with.
Once in the bloodstream, Vibrio vulnificus may cause fast and critical sickness.
A bloodstream an infection can spur a fever, chills, dizziness, confusion, dangerously low blood stress, a fast coronary heart fee and blistering pores and skin lesions.
The Florida Department of Health reviews that infections that hit the bloodstream are deadly about half the time.
The risk of life-threatening problems is greater for people who are older or immunocompromised, notably if they’ve persistent liver illness.
There is no evidence of person-to-person transmission.
About 75% of the Louisiana circumstances are from wound publicity to seawater. LoloStock – stock.adobe.com
How is Vibrio vulnificus handled?
Vibrio vulnificus is identified by testing blood, wound fluid or stool samples.
Antibiotics are administered immediately. In aggressive circumstances, amputation of affected limbs could also be needed to take away contaminated or useless tissue.
What are you able to do to protect yourself from an infection?
Handel recommends steering clear of open our bodies of water, just like the ocean, rivers and estuaries, if you may have cuts or scrapes.
“To prevent Vibrio food poisoning, avoid eating raw shellfish, especially if you are immunocompromised or have chronic liver disease,” he added.
“If you do eat shellfish, make sure it has not been sitting out for a long time and comes from a hygienic source.”
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