Within the wake of a number of circumstances of flesh-eating bacteria in Florida, some individuals could also be questioning what they will do to guard themselves whereas on trip or simply having fun with a day on the native swimming gap this summer season.
There have been 13 confirmed circumstances and four deaths from “vibrio vulnificus,” generally often called flesh-eating micro organism, within the Sunshine State this 12 months, in keeping with state well being officers.
The micro organism isn’t confined to Florida, nonetheless, and thrives in heat, brackish water alongside the U.S. coastlines,” in keeping with Lyssette Cardona, MD, infectious illness specialist at Cleveland Clinic Florida. Infections can even occur when somebody unintentionally swallows contaminated water whereas swimming or from consuming shellfish like oysters, clams and mussels.
“Infections with vibrio vulnificus micro organism are widespread throughout the months of Might by way of October when the water is hotter,” Cardona stated in a information launch. “The are inclined to thrive and multiply throughout that point, particularly after hurricanes, or if there’s been storms, or any kind of flooding.”
So what can individuals do to guard themselves?
Cardona suggests totally cooking uncooked shellfish and avoiding swimming in probably contaminated water, particularly individuals with sure medical circumstances.
“It is vital that when you’ve got any immunocompromising circumstances, corresponding to liver problems, that you simply keep away from contact with contaminated water, keep away from swallowing any kind of seawater, or brackish water, bathe after swimming, and monitor for any alerts that the division of well being might place in areas that could be extra contaminated,” Cardona suggested.
Individuals who have a reduce or scrape must also be additional cautious — a water-proof bandage over the wound can present an added layer of safety.
Based on the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention (CDC), widespread signs of a vibrio infection embody watery diarrhea, abdomen cramps, nausea, vomiting, fever and chills.
A vibrio bloodstream an infection is usually accompanied by fever, chills, dangerously low blood stress and blistering pores and skin lesions, whereas indicators of a vibrio wound an infection embody fever, redness, ache, swelling, heat, discoloration and discharge.
Anybody experiencing signs of bloodstream or wound infections ought to instantly see a physician or go to the emergency room, the CDC advises.
There are an estimated 80,000 U.S. circumstances of vibriosis every year, with roughly one out of 5 sufferers dying.