A rare flesh-eating bacteria has killed five people in Florida since the state of the year, according to the Florida Department of Public Health.
The data shows Florida has had 26 Vibrio vulnifcus infections this year with two deaths in Hillsborough County and one each in surrounding Pasco, Pinellas and Sarasota counties. Outside of Florida, two people in Connecticut and one in New York, have died after contracting vibriosis.
Alabama has reported 15 vibrio cases this year, none fatal.
According to the Alabama Department of Public Health, the infections are caused by bacteria found naturally in warm salt water, like bay or gulf waters, as well as by consumption of raw or undercooked contaminated seafood, particularly oysters. In rare cases, vibriosis infects the skin when an open wound is exposed to warm seawater.
It’s called a “flesh-eating” bacteria because severe cases can lead to necrotizing fasciitis, a rare but highly deadly infection.
Vibrio bacteria typically peak in water from May to October when water temperatures are warmer.
Symptoms of vibriosis – the illness caused by the bacteria – include watery diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain, chills, fever, shock, skin lesions and wound infections. Symptoms typically appear anywhere from 24 hours to 3 days after exposure.
Infections can be particularly dangerous for people with compromised immune systems, especially those with chronic liver disease.
The Centers for Disease Control estimates vibriosis causes 80,000 illnesses each year in the U.S, the vast majority of cases linked to contaminated seafood.
How to protect yourself against vibriosis from ADPH:
- Don’t eat raw or undercooked shellfish, such as oysters
- Always wash your hands with soap and water after handling raw shellfish.
- If you have a wound, including from a recent surgery, piercing or tattoo, avoid contact with salt water or brackish water
- If you do have a wound and enter the water, cover it with a waterproof bandage if there’s a possibility it could come into contact with salt water or brackish water, raw seafood, or raw seafood juices.
- Wash wounds and cuts thoroughly with soap and water if they have been exposed to seawater or raw seafood or its juices
- If you develop a skin infection, tell your medical provider if your skin has come into contact with salt water or brackish water, raw seafood, or raw seafood juices.