‘Something is off this year': Experts are stumped at the sudden spike in flesh-eating bacteria deaths
The bacteria flourish in warm seawater and can lead to necrotizing fasciitis, a serious infection that rapidly damages surrounding tissue. Health officials report that Florida has recorded 16 cases this year. Seventeen cases have reported Louisiana, with seven and three cases also reported in North Carolina seven and Mississippi, respectively.
Vibrio vulnificus can enter the body through open wounds exposed to salty or brackish water and can also be contracted by eating contaminated raw seafood, particularly oysters. About 20 percent of those infected with this bacterium die from the infection.
Antarpreet Jutla, an engineering professor at the University of Florida, told NBC that infections remain rare but 'something is off this year.'
'This is certainly not normal, that's one thing,' Jutla said. 'We haven't had that many cases early on in the summer for a very long time.'
While Jutla said there are too many unknowns to be certain what is causing the spike, researchers are following some leads.
For one, his group is investigating why there is such high concentrations of plankton and chlorophyll in Florida's panhandle, which may be linked to the surge in Vibrio bacteria. Although most Vibrio species cause mild gastrointestinal illnesses, Vibrio vulnificus is particularly dangerous due to its rapid progression and severe symptoms.
Jutla also explained that Vibrio vulnificus infections often rise following hurricanes, which stir up bacteria in floodwaters. Florida recorded 82 cases last year, a number that may have been worsened by the 'extremely active' hurricane season, as the bacteria can persist in floodwaters caused by storms.
'Something happened this year that triggered the pathogens a little bit more than before,' he said.
People at greatest risk include those with liver disease, weakened immune systems, or who are over 65 years old. Symptoms typically appear within hours and include redness, swelling, painful blisters, and potentially life-threatening sepsis if untreated.
Health experts recommend covering any open wounds before entering ocean waters and seeking immediate medical attention if infection signs develop. Early treatment with antibiotics can prevent serious complications.
This year's infections and deaths have been reported across a wide range of Florida's coastline, including counties such as Bay County in the Panhandle, Hillsborough County near Tampa, Broward County in the southeast, and St. Johns County near Jacksonville.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
2 hours ago
- Daily Mail
US records more cases of Chikungunya virus
Cases of the debilitating chikungunya virus sweeping through China are also surging in the US, health officials have warned. CDC officials have reported four more cases this week, bringing the total to 50 cases of chikungunya in the US, all of which are in people who traveled to areas where it is more common like Asia and South America. It is unclear how many are linked to China's outbreak. The virus, which is spread by the Aedes mosquito, can cause sudden, agonizing joint pain in the hands and feet that can be so severe that it leaves sufferers unable to move normally for months. Chikungunya is tearing through China with more than 10,000 cases, leaving the nation battling its largest outbreak ever. The outbreak has prompted the CDC to issue a level 2 travel warning for China, which urges Americans to take extra precautions when visiting the area. The notice also applies to Brazil, Colombia, India, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, the Philippines and Thailand. Chikungunya is a 'nationally notifiable' condition in the US, meaning health authorities can voluntarily report cases to the agency for national tracking and monitoring. While a handful of cases pop up in the US every year from people traveling to high-risk areas, it hasn't experienced local transmission since 2019. But with 1.6million people traveling between the US and China every year, mosquitoes in America could bite an infected traveler and begin transmitting the virus locally to Americans. Dr Louisa Messenger, a mosquito researcher in Nevada , previously told : 'This outbreak in China is very concerning. It [the virus] could already be here in the US; and really it's just one plane flight away.' Along with the CDC, travel agencies and cruise lines have also issued warnings about preventing mosquito-borne diseases, including chikungunya, dengue and Lyme disease, all of which have been detected in the US so far this year. Chikungunya is spread to humans from a bite from the Aedes mosquito, which also spread dengue fever, yellow fever and Zika virus. The infection does not spread from person to person through bodily contact or saliva. However, pregnant women who become infected near the time of delivery can pass the virus to their baby during birth, which can result in severe illness in the newborn. About 15 to 35 percent of people infected with the virus are asymptomatic, the CDC reports. The incubation period is typically three to seven days and the most common symptom is a sudden onset of a fever over 102 degrees Fahrenheit (39 degrees Celsius). Other symptoms of chikungunya virus include headache, nausea, rash, muscle aches, swelling and redness of the conjunctiva (the white part of the eye and inner eyelids) and joint pain that is sometimes severe and debilitating in the hands or feet. In severe cases, life-threatening complications involving the heart and brain can occur such as inflammation, irregular heartbeats and organ failure. Symptoms usually last seven to 10 days, but patients may experience lifelong complications such as persistent joint pain. There is no specific treatment for chikungunya, and doctors mostly focus on easing symptoms like over-the-counter pain and fever medications. However, there are two vaccines available for people visiting an area with an outbreak.
The Independent
6 hours ago
- The Independent
Warning over significant increase in community-acquired superbug cases
UK officials are closely monitoring a significant increase in community-acquired MRSA superbug cases, with 175 infections recorded between January and March this year. The number of community-onset cases has risen by 47.1 per cent compared to the same period in 2019, and patients are increasingly younger, with nearly a quarter now under 45. The UK Health and Security Agency states it is too early to determine if this rise represents a sustained trend but is closely analysing the data. This increase follows a warning from the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention about MRSA spreading in gyms and health clubs due to shared equipment and skin-to-skin contact. Public health officials are urging Britons to practise good general hygiene, including frequent handwashing and avoiding the sharing of personal items like towels and razors, to manage community spread.
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Daily Mail
Doctor issues serious warning about putting viral product on your 'lady bits'
A pediatric emergency doctor has issued a serious warning about a turmeric soap that's going viral on TikTok right now - and why you should avoid using it on certain areas. The video was posted this week by Florida-based doctor Meghan Martin, who goes by the username @beachgem10 on social media. Dr. Martin often takes to TikTok to share her children's safety tips, provide guidance for the flu and cold season, and break down medical news. This time, however, she was taking serious issue with a product that has been gaining momentum online. 'If you would like to avoid a potentially embarrassing emergency department visit, even more so, if you would like to avoid your lady bits being absolutely on fire, we need to have a quick talk,' Martin began the video. 'In a corner of TikTok that my algorithm is not privy to, there is a viral turmeric soap that people are using on their face and bodies to help remove acne, even skin tone, improve glow,' she said. 'I'm not sure about any of those claims, but there's a group of people that are using it in their nether regions.' According to Verywell Health, turmeric soap can indeed have many benefits to it, including brightening the skin tone - but only if used in certain areas. The doctor explained that recently, she's seen many patients come in whose private parts were 'on fire' and 'inflamed' due to using the soap down there. Dr. Martin shared that she's also seen some people use the soap on their 'back door' to remove discoloration, but she doesn't recommend that, as it can have the same inflammatory effect. 'Everyone has different skin types and responds differently to different products,' the doctor explained. So, what should you use instead? 'But in general, in the lady bits, the inner portions, just warm water and a washcloth is appropriate, even on the outer portions of the front and the back,' she advised. 'If you're going to use a soap, a hypoallergenic, non-fragranced, mild soap is appropriate,' the doctor continued. 'Something stronger can cause dryness, itchiness, and potentially inflammation, which can be very uncomfortable.' She also stressed the importance of going to the doctor if you feel like something is wrong - no matter how embarrassing it may seem. 'If you wait two days, things are only gonna get worse, and it's gonna be harder for the both of us,' Martin shared. 'There's no need to be embarrassed or ashamed.' In the comments section of the video, many people shared their own advice. 'And don't use peppermint soap either. I know they advertise it's supposed to cool but let's stick to good old fashioned soap,' one person advised. Another agreed, 'Dove sensitive bar soap is the only way to go!!' 'Probably going to have to make the same PSA about all these glycolic acid products I've started seeing,' someone else typed.
