The Vibrio vulnificus bacteria, which can be found in raw or undercooked seafood, saltwater, and brackish water, led to the death of two people since January in Hillsborough County, home of Tampa, according to the Florida Department of Health. An additional person died in each of the surrounding Pasco, Polk and Sarasota counties. Florida has recorded a total of 26 cases statewide this year.
The bacteria has led to other recent deaths in the Northeast, where New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announced thevirusbacteria was detected in a person who died in Long Island.
You may have heard that you can get Vibrio infection from eating raw or undercooked oysters and other seafood. But did you know you can also get a Vibrio infection through an open wound? This can happen when a wound comes into contact with raw or undercooked seafood, its juices, or its drippings or with saltwater or brackish water.*
One species, Vibrio vulnificus, can cause life-threatening wound infections. Many people with Vibrio vulnificus infection require intensive care or limb amputations, and about 1 in 5 people with this infection die, sometimes within a day or two of becoming ill.
Some Vibrio vulnificus infections lead to necrotizing fasciitis, a severe infection in which the flesh around an open wound dies. Some media reports call this kind of infection “flesh-eating bacteria,” even though necrotizing fasciitis can be caused by more than one type of bacteria.
That is nasty. Vibrio is the genus that gives us Cholera too.Astronuc said:Rare flesh-eating bacteria kills 5 in Florida, 3 in New York, Connecticut
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news...nificus-bacteria-kills-5-florida/70631024007/
Warming waters may enhance the presence of Vibrio in the water and in seafood.
https://www.cdc.gov/vibrio/wounds.html
https://news.yahoo.com/us-mom-loses-limb-seafood-vibrio-explainer-180555130.htmlHer fingers were black, her feet were black, her bottom lip was black. She had complete sepsis and her kidneys were failing,"
Vibrio vulnificus is a bacterium that naturally lives in warm seawater and is part of a group of vibrios that are called "halophilic" because they require salt. It can cause disease in those who eat contaminated seafood or have an open wound that is exposed to seawater. Among healthy people, ingestion can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. In immunocompromised individuals, particularly those with chronic liver disease, Vibrio vulnificus can infect the bloodstream, causing a severe and life-threatening illness characterized by fever and chills, decreased blood pressure (septic shock), and blistering skin lesions.
Vibrio vulnificus infections are relatively rare but serious. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there are about 205 infections each year in the United States, though the actual number may be higher due to underreporting. Fatalities occur in about 1 in 5 cases of Vibrio vulnificus bloodstream infections, making it one of the most lethal foodborne bacteria.
Preventing infection from Vibrio vulnificus primarily involves proper handling and cooking of seafood, especially oysters and shellfish. It is recommended to cook shellfish thoroughly and avoid raw or undercooked shellfish. For those with open wounds, it is advised to avoid contact with warm seawater or brackish water or cover wounds with waterproof bandages to prevent exposure to the bacteria.
The symptoms of Vibrio vulnificus infection can vary depending on the mode of exposure. If ingested, it can cause symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain within 24 to 48 hours. When the bacteria enter the bloodstream, symptoms can escalate to include fever, chills, dangerously low blood pressure, and blistering skin lesions. Severe cases may lead to septic shock and can be fatal if not treated promptly.
Immediate treatment with antibiotics is critical for Vibrio vulnificus infections, especially in cases of bloodstream infection. Doxycycline, often combined with a third-generation cephalosporin (like ceftazidime), is commonly used. Rapid administration of antibiotics can significantly improve survival rates. In severe cases, supportive care in hospitals, including treatment for shock and organ failure, may be necessary. Surgical intervention may also be required to remove dead tissue.