Flesh-Eating Bacteria Surge: Gulf Coast & NC Hit Hard! Stay Safe!
Health officials are issuing urgent warnings as cases of Vibrio vulnificus, a potentially deadly "flesh-eating" bacteria, are surging along the Gulf Coast and in North Carolina. This summer, several states are reporting higher-than-average numbers of infections, raising concerns among medical experts.
Gulf Coast Sees Alarming Rise in Cases
Louisiana has reported a concerning 17 cases of Vibrio vulnificus this year, with four resulting in fatalities. This is a significant increase compared to the average of seven cases and one death during the same period over the past decade. All Louisiana cases required hospitalization, according to the Louisiana Department of Health.
Florida has also confirmed 13 cases and four deaths related to the bacteria this year. The rising numbers highlight the need for increased awareness and preventative measures.
North Carolina Faces Increasing Threat
In North Carolina, a man is currently hospitalized in the Outer Banks after contracting a Vibrio vulnificus infection from a small cut. Statewide, the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services has reported 59 Vibrio illnesses and one death through July 31st. This marks the second-highest midsummer total in five years.
Dr. Rachel Noble, a microbiologist at UNC-Chapel Hill's Institute of Marine Sciences, notes that Vibrio bacteria are now present in every water sample collected along the coast, a change from two decades ago. Warmer sea-surface temperatures, about two degrees above the 30-year average, are contributing to the spread, as milder winters no longer eliminate the bacteria.
How to Protect Yourself
Dr. Alok Patel, a pediatrician at Stanford Children's Health, explains that Vibrio vulnificus thrives in warm, salty, or brackish water, particularly during the summer. The bacteria can enter the body through open wounds exposed to coastal waters or by consuming raw or undercooked seafood, especially oysters.
Key preventative measures include:
- Avoid swimming in coastal waters if you have open cuts or wounds.
- Be extra cautious if you are immunocompromised.
- Thoroughly cook seafood, especially oysters, before consumption.
Symptoms to watch out for:
- Stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting, fever, chills, and diarrhea.
- Wound infections characterized by fever, redness, pain, swelling, warmth, discoloration, or discharge.
- Bloodstream infections, indicated by fever, chills, very low blood pressure, or blistering skin lesions.
If you experience any of these symptoms after exposure to coastal waters or consuming raw seafood, seek immediate medical attention.