At least eight individuals have died due to a flesh-eating bacteria along the Gulf Coast of America. On the 30th of July, an alert on the bacteria Vibrio vulnificus was posted by the Louisiana Department of Health. At that time, 17 individuals had been hospitalized, of whom four had passed away. Meanwhile, a further 13 flesh-eating bacteria cases were confirmed in Florida, with another four individuals reported to have died.
The Louisiana Department of Health release noted that there was a significant increase in cases, with the current number being much higher than usually reported. “During the same time period over the previous 10 years, an average of seven Vibrio vulnificus cases and one death were reported each year,” stated the authors of the report. According to the CDC, around 150 to 200 cases are reported in the United States annually, with the majority occuring in Gulf Coast states.
What Is Behind the Flesh-Eating Bacteria Cases?
The genus Vibrio bacteria thrives in low-salt marine environments and warm waters, and causes around 80,000 illnesses in the United States annually. One species in particular, V. vulnificus, is known to result in life-threatening infections. It is typically transmitted to humans when brackish or salt water comes into contact with an open wound. In around 10% of the cases, however, it infects people who have eaten undercooked or raw shellfish.
While it cannot be transmitted from one human to another, there are certain underlying conditions that could raise your risk. These conditions include diabetes, liver disease, and various immunocompromising conditions. The report from the Louisiana Department of Health noted that 75% of the flesh-eating bacteria cases involved wounds exposed to seawater. Once it is inside the body, the infection spreads to the blood and organs, typically with the span of a few hours.
Symptoms of Infection
The report further noted that you may notice soft tissue infection and dead skin if you are infected with the bacteria. It is often called a “flesh-eating” bacterium because the infection destroys skin and muscle tissue. This causes the flesh around a wound to die. Other symptoms include blood-filled skin blisters, nausea, low blood pressure, fever, and vomiting. Early treatment is vital for reducing the risk of death from a severe infection, so go to an ER immediately if you suspect you have an infection. According to the Louisiana health department, medical professionals are recommended to start early antibiotic therapy and early surgical intervention, noting that the dead skin should be removed. You can’t wait around, expecting the infection to go away on its own.
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Prevention Methods
According to Florida Health, you should not enter the water if you have fresh scrapes or cuts. That includes fresh tattoos and piercings, recent surgical sites, and even scrapes. Make sure to cover up any open wounds if you are anywhere near the coast. If you have made contact with coastal water, immediately wash the area with soap and running water. Furthermore, if you have an immunocompromising condition, then you should “wear proper foot protection to prevent cuts and injury caused by rocks and shells on the beach.” Another way you can protect yourself from a Vibrio vulnificus is by making sure your seafood is properly cooked before eating it. It’s also important that any surface that has come into contact with raw seafood is thoroughly cleaned. Also, make sure to properly wash your hands after working with raw seafood or wear gloves if you are at high risk.
What’s Causing the Increase in Flesh-eating Bacteria Cases
Some experts have suggested that rising sea temperatures caused by climate change could be contributing to the rise in flesh-eating bacteria cases. This is because warmer waters create the perfect conditions for the bacteria to multiply and spread. This increases the risk of exposure along the Gulf Coast of the United States and potentially expands its range even farther north. Some studies have even noted cases of Vibrio in areas that were previously unaffected. As coastal waters continue to get warmer, more people are at risk, especially during the summer months when people go to the beach and eat more seafood than usual.
The surge in flesh-eating bacteria cases seems to be one of many consequences of ignoring the issues that face our planet and species. While these bacteria have long existed in our coastal waters, their growing prevalence requires greater public awareness so that proper precautions can be taken. For now, the public has been advised to stay informed, be cautious when handling seafood, and make sure to cover your wounds if you are anywhere near the coastal region. With the proper precautions in place, you can enjoy your summer at the ocean without fearing that you will become another statistic of the flesh-eating bacteria.
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