This year, four individuals in Florida have succumbed to a bacterial infection that can lead to “carnivorous” wounds, as reported by the State Health Department this month.
The culprit is the bacterium Vibrio vulnificus, which flourishes in warm seawater. The fatalities occurred in counties along the Gulf Coast, stretching from Bay County to Hillsboro County, encompassing much of Florida’s coastline.
According to the state health department, Florida has recorded 11 instances of Vibrio vulnificus this year. The bacteria can infiltrate the body through open skin wounds, leading to tissue death, as noted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Additionally, consumption of contaminated food, especially raw oysters, can also result in infection. The exact means of infection for those affected in Florida remain unclear.
The CDC indicates that approximately one in five individuals infected with Vibrio vulnificus will die.
Antacarit Jutra, an engineering professor at the University of Florida, is investigating Vibrio bacteria and mentions that while infections are relatively uncommon, instances tend to rise following hurricanes. Last year, Florida reported a total of 82 cases, likely exacerbated by a “very active” hurricane season.
What is Vibrio vulnificus?
Rita Colwell, a microbiology professor at the University of Maryland, states that Vibrio vulnificus is among over 200 species of Vibrio bacteria.
Most Vibrio infections do not pose a threat to humans, Jutra notes. Some may only affect other animals.
Vibrio bacteria result in roughly 80,000 infections annually, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Most cases are gastrointestinal, with only 100-200 attributed to Vibrio vulnificus. Other Vibrio species, like Vibrio parahaemolyticus and Vibrio alginolyticus, usually cause gastrointestinal diseases, while Vibrio cholerae is responsible for cholera-related diarrhea.
Vibrio bacteria typically inhabit the southeastern coast of the United States where warm waters are prevalent, but they are also found along the west coast. As ocean temperatures rise, more cases have emerged further north in recent years, including areas like New York, Connecticut, and parts of Maryland, according to Jutla.
Who is at risk?
Dr. Norman Beatty, an infectious disease physician at the University of Florida Health, points out that Vibrio bacteria can enter through open wounds after exposure to salty or brackish water. While most cases he has encountered are linked to prolonged exposure, even short bouts can be sufficient.
Symptoms of infection may appear within just a few hours, including redness, swelling, and “bull” blisters at the site, which can be quite painful. If left untreated, the infection may spread into the bloodstream and lead to sepsis, which can be fatal. Symptoms of sepsis encompass fever, chills, and severe hypotension, as per the CDC.
Individuals with cirrhosis, weakened immune systems, and those over 65 years old are at the highest risk of infection, according to Jutla.
Antibiotics can effectively treat Vibrio vulnificus infections.
How to prevent vibrio infection
Beatty advises covering any open wounds before entering the ocean, noting that even waterproof band-aids can be effective.
If anyone suspects they have an infection, they should seek medical attention immediately, as delays can lead to severe complications.
“Late presentations to healthcare are often the reason some individuals experience more serious consequences than others,” he explains. “Those who present early with signs and symptoms of infection and receive antibiotics on the same day tend to fare better and avoid severe complications.”
Source: www.nbcnews.com
