Infection
Florida health officials issue warning about flesh-eating bacteria after 2 dozen cases confirmed
Living in Florida being around the marine environment. We need to be aware of what it is on your side has learned there have been five deaths in Tampa Bay this year linked to the flesh eating bacteria. Vibrio vulnificus statewide. The Florida Department of Health reports, 25 confirmed cases since January. Dr Eric Shamus is an emergency room physician at Bayfront Health, ST Petersburg. Whenever you have *** break in the skin and you’re in *** marine environment, then theoretically you are at risk. It’s very important to keep in mind that these severe infections are very rare. He explains how boaters and beach goers can protect themselves from flesh eating bacteria if you have wounds, maybe stay out of the water. If you suffer *** cut while in the water, just wash it out very thoroughly with soap and water, monitor your symptoms and follow closely with your doctor. If you have any questions before hurricane Ian last September, the state warned Floridians to avoid waiting in flood water, especially if they had open wounds. The bacteria thrives in warm saltier brackish waters pushed ashore by *** storm surge. But after the hurricane ripped through Southwest Florida health officials saw *** noticeable increase in flesh eating bacteria cases including 11 deaths. Vibrio we know is an infection that has *** higher incidence in the warm summer months, which is also the hurricane season.
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Florida health officials issue warning about flesh-eating bacteria after 2 dozen cases confirmed
Updated: 8:51 AM EDT Aug 21, 2023
Five people are confirmed dead in the Tampa Bay area due to a rare, flesh-eating bacteria in the waters.According to Florida Health, Vibrio vulnificus is a bacterium that naturally occurs in warm, brackish seawater and requires salt.This year, there have been 25 reported cases and five deaths since January 2023.“Living in Florida, being around the marine environment, we need to be aware of what it is,” said Dr. Eric Shamas, an emergency medicine physician at Bayfront Health St. Petersburg.There are two confirmed deaths in Hillsborough County, one in Sarasota County, one in Polk County, and one in Pasco County.In 2022, there were 74 total cases and 17 deaths. Most occurred in Lee County after Hurricane Ian’s waters flooded the community.According to Florida Health, a person can get infected with Vibrio vulnificus when eating raw shellfish, particularly oysters, and entering seawater with an open wound, especially in the summer months.“Whenever you have a break in the skin and you’re in a marine environment then theoretically you’re at risk,” Shamas said. “It’s very important to keep in mind these severe infections are very rare.”Health officials warn citizens to not enter the water if they have fresh cuts or scrapes, as the bacteria can enter the bloodstream rather quickly. Bloodstream infections are fatal 50 percent of the time.“If you have wounds, maybe stay out of the water,” Shamas said. “If you suffer a cut while in the water, just wash it out very thoroughly with soap and water. Monitor your symptoms and follow up with your doctor if you have any questions.”Common symptoms of the flesh-eating bacteria include vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and infection of the skin (if there is an open wound). Those with healthy immune systems are likely to experience a mild infection.Those with weakened immune systems, or have chronic liver disease, are more prone to serious and life-threatening illnesses with symptoms like fever, chills, decreased blood pressure, septic shock, and blistering skin lesions.To prevent Vibrio vulnificus infections, avoid eating raw shellfish and oysters, cook shellfish thoroughly, avoid cross-contamination of cooked seafood and raw seafood, avoid exposure of open wounds or broken skin to warm salt or brackish water, and wear protective clothing when handling raw shellfish.Seek medical help right away if you believe you may have an infection.For more information on care and treatment specifics, visit the CDC’s website.Top headlines:Listen to news and weather headlines with the WESH 2 podcastTropics fire up: Emily, Franklin, Gert, plus 2 disturbancesViera High School football activities suspended amid hazing investigation
Five people are confirmed dead in the Tampa Bay area due to a rare, flesh-eating bacteria in the waters.
According to Florida Health, Vibrio vulnificus is a bacterium that naturally occurs in warm, brackish seawater and requires salt.
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This year, there have been 25 reported cases and five deaths since January 2023.
“Living in Florida, being around the marine environment, we need to be aware of what it is,” said Dr. Eric Shamas, an emergency medicine physician at Bayfront Health St. Petersburg.
There are two confirmed deaths in Hillsborough County, one in Sarasota County, one in Polk County, and one in Pasco County.
In 2022, there were 74 total cases and 17 deaths. Most occurred in Lee County after Hurricane Ian’s waters flooded the community.
According to Florida Health, a person can get infected with Vibrio vulnificus when eating raw shellfish, particularly oysters, and entering seawater with an open wound, especially in the summer months.
“Whenever you have a break in the skin and you’re in a marine environment then theoretically you’re at risk,” Shamas said. “It’s very important to keep in mind these severe infections are very rare.”
Health officials warn citizens to not enter the water if they have fresh cuts or scrapes, as the bacteria can enter the bloodstream rather quickly. Bloodstream infections are fatal 50 percent of the time.
“If you have wounds, maybe stay out of the water,” Shamas said. “If you suffer a cut while in the water, just wash it out very thoroughly with soap and water. Monitor your symptoms and follow up with your doctor if you have any questions.”
Common symptoms of the flesh-eating bacteria include vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and infection of the skin (if there is an open wound). Those with healthy immune systems are likely to experience a mild infection.
Those with weakened immune systems, or have chronic liver disease, are more prone to serious and life-threatening illnesses with symptoms like fever, chills, decreased blood pressure, septic shock, and blistering skin lesions.
To prevent Vibrio vulnificus infections, avoid eating raw shellfish and oysters, cook shellfish thoroughly, avoid cross-contamination of cooked seafood and raw seafood, avoid exposure of open wounds or broken skin to warm salt or brackish water, and wear protective clothing when handling raw shellfish.
Seek medical help right away if you believe you may have an infection.
For more information on care and treatment specifics, visit the CDC’s website.
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