US officials have confirmed that at least eight people have lost their lives this summer due to infections caused by a newly identified flesh-eating bacteria known as Vibrio vulnificus. The cases have been reported in the states of Florida, New York, and Connecticut, raising alarms about the potential risks posed by this bacteria.
A total of 26 instances of Vibrio vulnificus infections have been reported this year, according to information provided by the Florida Health Department. Among these cases, two fatalities occurred in Hillsborough County, where Tampa is located. Additionally, three deaths were documented in Pasco, Polk, and Sarasota counties.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul expressed her concerns, stating, “While rare, the Vibrio bacteria has unfortunately made it to this region and can be extraordinarily dangerous.”
Last month, the Connecticut Department of Public Health revealed that three individuals, all aged between 60 and 80, had fallen victim to the flesh-eating bacteria, leading to two fatalities in July.
Recent reports have also highlighted three deaths in North Carolina attributed to Vibrio vulnificus, a bacteria that thrives in warm seawater and brackish water environments.
Notably, the Journal of the American Medical Association has indicated that approximately 100 cases of Vibrio infections are reported annually in the United States. However, due to the often mild nature of these infections, not all cases are subjected to testing, making it challenging to determine the exact number of cases.
Vibrio vulnificus infections can result in a severe condition known as necrotizing fasciitis, where the flesh around an open wound begins to decay. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) emphasizes the seriousness of this condition.
To safeguard against the flesh-eating bacteria, Governor Hochul urged the public to “stay vigilant and take responsible precautions to keep themselves and their loved ones safe.” She recommended safeguarding open wounds from contact with seawater and cautioned against consuming undercooked shellfish, particularly for individuals with weakened immune systems.
The CDC offers the following preventive measures:
Thoroughly wash hands after handling raw shellfish.
Prevent cross-contamination between cooked shellfish and raw shellfish or their juices.
Carefully clean wounds and cuts if exposed to seawater, raw seafood, or seafood juices.
The CDC also advises those who develop skin infections to inform their medical provider if they have come into contact with salt water, brackish water, raw seafood, or raw seafood juices.
Symptoms of infections caused by flesh-eating bacteria can vary. For instance, they may include diarrhea accompanied by cramps, nausea, vomiting, and fever. In the case of bloodstream infections, symptoms can encompass fever, chills, low blood pressure, blistering skin lesions, redness, pain, swelling, warmth, discoloration, and discharge.
The CDC stresses that Vibrio bacterial infections are diagnosed when the bacteria are identified in a person’s wound, blood, or stool. Treatment usually involves antibiotics. In severe cases, surgical interventions, including amputation, might be required to remove dead or infected tissue.
