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Daily Mirror
18-07-2025
- Health
- Daily Mirror
Rare flesh-eating bacteria kills at least four people in Florida
A flesh-eating bacteria has infected at least 11 people so far and has killed five people in Florida, USA. Patients can die within two days of becoming infected Holidaymakers have been issued a warning after four-people were killed by a rare flesh-eating bacteria. Health officials in the United States have addressed the devastating affects of picking up the deadly bacteria, which can often be found in warm saltwater. So far, 11 people have been infected by the bacteria called Vibrio vulnificus in recent months in Florida. Patients who become struck by the bacteria can die within two days of becoming infected. Even if the infection doesn't prove fatal, patients may need to undergo amputation or be placed in intensive care. The state's health department said the bacteria has been detected across central Florida's Bay, Broward, Hillsborough and St Johns counties. Dr Daniel Egan, an infectious disease specialist at Orlando Health, explained why the bacteria can be found in certain conditions. He told WESH: 'There's a lot of bacteria that just live in different areas, even in, like, waterborne spots.' He added: 'So there's fresh water, salt water, and this bacteria called Vibrio vulnificus likes salt water.' The death rate of the infection stands at 20% overall, yet it can reach up to a staggering 50% if Vibrio vulnificus enters the bloodstream, reports Express. The often fatal bacteria can cause necrotising fasciitis, which is an infection causing flesh around an open wound to die - often leading to amputation of the limb. Those who are healthy can recover, yet people with long-standing conditions or weakened immune systems are at a greater risk of serious complications. Vibrio vulnificus occurs naturally and thrives in warm seawater and other saltwater environments such as rivers. The bacterium is typically most active between May and October when waters are warmest. Between 150 to 200 cases of Vibrio vulnificus infections are reported to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) each year, yet cases have surged in recent years. In 2024, reports of the bacterium reached a record high, with the CDC logging 19 deaths and 82 infections which is nearly double from the year prior. The huge increase followed Hurricanes Milton and Helene as floodwaters pushed the warm saltwater further inland. Dr Kami Kim, the director of infectious disease at Tampa General Hospital, told WUSF media: 'There are people running around, lifting, moving stuff that normally they wouldn't do, so the probability of getting that cut or exposure is higher.' By 2090, the US Department of Agriculture predicts that the total cost of infections from bacteria such as Vibrio vulnificus will reach £4,540,358.10 annually. Symptoms to look out for Vomiting Diarrhoea Fever Chills Elevated heart rate Disorientation
Telegraph
18-07-2025
- Health
- Telegraph
Flesh-eating bacteria killing beachgoers in Florida
A rare flesh-eating bacterium found in warm saltwater has killed at least four people in Florida this year, the state's health department said. State authorities reported at least 11 Vibrio vulnificus infections in recent months across central Florida's Bay, Broward, Hillsborough and St Johns counties, a region popular with holidaymakers and coastal communities. 'There's a lot of bacteria that just live in different areas, even in, like, waterborne spots,' Dr Daniel Egan, an infectious disease specialist at Orlando Health, explained to WESH. 'So there's fresh water, salt water, and this bacteria called Vibrio vulnificus likes salt water.' The Florida Health Department did not provide details about the deaths this year. Vibrio vulnificus infections are rare, with about 150 to 200 cases reported to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) annually. But their consequences are often devastating. The bacteria can cause necrotising fasciitis, an aggressive infection in which flesh around an open wound dies. Many people who contract Vibrio vulnificus require intensive care or even limb amputation. The infection carries a 20 per cent death rate overall – and as high as 50 per cent if it enters the bloodstream. In many cases, death occurs within two days of symptoms appearing. The bacterium is naturally occurring and thrives in warm, coastal saltwater and brackish environments. With temperatures rising globally, experts fear it could spread to areas previously unaffected. It is typically most active between May and October when waters are warmest. Symptoms include vomiting, diarrhoea, fever, chills, elevated heart rate and disorientation. While healthy people often recover, those with long-standing conditions or compromised immune systems, including cancer patients, are at far greater risk. Cases have surged in recent years, reaching a record high in 2024. The CDC reported 19 deaths and 82 infections, nearly doubling 2023 figures. The spike was linked to an unusually high number of late-season hurricanes in Florida and south-eastern US. 'Exposure is higher' Cases doubled after Hurricanes Milton and Helene, as floodwaters pushed warm saltwater further inland than usual, exposing more people to potential infection. 'There are people running around, lifting, moving stuff that normally they wouldn't do, so the probability of getting that cut or exposure is higher,' said Dr Kami Kim, the director of infectious disease at Tampa General Hospital, speaking to WUSF media at the time. Climate change is expected to drive those numbers even higher. Warmer oceans fuel stronger storms and longer hurricane seasons, increasing the conditions in which Vibrio vulnificus thrives. The US Department of Agriculture estimates the cost of infections from salt-reliant bacteria like Vibrio vulnificus will soar to $6.1 billion annually by 2090, up from $2.6 billion in 1995.
Yahoo
17-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Rare flesh-eating bacteria has already killed four beachgoers in Florida this year
Florida has already seen four deaths tied to a flesh-eating bacteria this year. State health authorities have reported 11 infections with fatal cases in Central Florida's Bay, Broward, Hillsborough, and St. Johns counties. "There's a lot of bacteria that just live in different areas, even in, like, waterborne spots," Dr. Daniel Egan, an infectious disease specialist at Orlando Health, explained to WESH. "So there's fresh water, salt water, and this bacteria called Vibrio vulnificus likes salt water." Vibrio vulnificus infections are rare, but naturally occur in brackish seawater. Cases often spread through open cuts. A person may also be infected when they eat raw shellfish, and the bacterium is frequently found in oysters from warm coastal waters. Most healthy individuals experience mild disease following exposure, including symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea, fever, chills, high heart rate, and disorientation. However, if the bacterium invades the bloodstreams of those with weakened immune systems, people may be affected by fever, chills, septic shock and skin lesions. Sometimes, infection may even result in amputation, and rare cases may cause necrotizing fasciitis, when the flesh around an open wound dies. Beaches in Florida and around the Gulf Coast are leaving residents vulnerable to bacteria called Vibrio vulnificus. Exposure has led to four deaths in the state so far this year (Getty Images) Antibiotics and wound care should be given to patients immediately, the Florida Department of Health says. Infections that enter the bloodstream are fatal about 50 percent of the time. One in five people who contract infection die, sometimes within just a couple of days, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Unfortunately, cases have been on the rise in recent year and last year reached record levels. The department reported 19 deaths and 82 cases -- marking an increase of seven deaths and nearly double the tally of cases in 2023. Notably,Vibrio vulnificus is underreported. Before 2007, there was no national surveillance system for the bacterium. A sign warns of a storm surge before Hurricane Debby last August in Cedar Key, Florida. Vibrio vulnificus ases and deaths reached record levels last year after late-season storms (Getty Images) Last year's 'unusual' influx of cases was tied to late-season hurricanes that pounded Florida and the Southeast. Cases more than doubled following Hurricanes Milton and Helene, with saltwater moving inland and people coming in contact with water that they normally wouldn't. Dr. Kami Kim, director of infectious disease at Tampa General Hospital and the USF Health Department of Internal Medicine, told WUSF that storm surge can also contaminate other sources of water, such as freshwater rivers and lakes. With the climate crisis, these risks are becoming more common. A hotter climate provides all the ingredients of stronger and more frequent hurricanes and other storms, including record sea surface temperatures. Climate change is forecast to increase the costs of infections with bacterium that require salt, according to the Department of Agriculture, rising from nearly $2.6 billion in 1995 to a projected $6.1 billion in 2090. People can avoid exposure by not eating raw shellfish, not exposing open wounds to warm salt or brackish water, and wearing gloves and other protective clothing. A man walks through a flooded street after Hurricane Milton in Port Richey, Florida, last October. Climate change-induced flooding is increasing chances for exposure to the flesh-eating bacteria (Getty Images) But, the problem isn't going away any time soon, according to researchers at Florida Atlantic University. A 2023 study found that Vibrio pathogens are adapting to 'stick' to microplastics. They can also combine with the smelly sargassum blooms that often plague Sunshine State shores. 'Think of all the plastic debris that just went into the water because of the hurricanes,' Mia McCormick, of the non-profit group Environment Florida, told Florida Phoenix. Solve the daily Crossword
The Independent
17-07-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Rare flesh-eating bacteria has already killed four beachgoers in Florida this year
Florida has already seen four deaths tied to a flesh-eating bacteria this year. State health authorities have reported 11 infections with fatal cases in Central Florida's Bay, Broward, Hillsborough, and St. Johns counties. "There's a lot of bacteria that just live in different areas, even in, like, waterborne spots," Dr. Daniel Egan, an infectious disease specialist at Orlando Health, explained to WESH. "So there's fresh water, salt water, and this bacteria called Vibrio vulnificus likes salt water." Vibrio vulnificus infections are rare, but naturally occur in brackish seawater. Cases often spread through open cuts. A person may also be infected when they eat raw shellfish, and the bacterium is frequently found in oysters from warm coastal waters. Most healthy individuals experience mild disease following exposure, including symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea, fever, chills, high heart rate, and disorientation. However, if the bacterium invades the bloodstreams of those with weakened immune systems, people may be affected by fever, chills, septic shock and skin lesions. Sometimes, infection may even result in amputation, and rare cases may cause necrotizing fasciitis, when the flesh around an open wound dies. Antibiotics and wound care should be given to patients immediately, the Florida Department of Health says. Infections that enter the bloodstream are fatal about 50 percent of the time. One in five people who contract infection die, sometimes within just a couple of days, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Unfortunately, cases have been on the rise in recent year and last year reached record levels. The department reported 19 deaths and 82 cases -- marking an increase of seven deaths and nearly double the tally of cases in 2023. Notably, Vibrio vulnificus is underreported. Before 2007, there was no national surveillance system for the bacterium. Last year's 'unusual' influx of cases was tied to late-season hurricanes that pounded Florida and the Southeast. Cases more than doubled following Hurricanes Milton and Helene, with saltwater moving inland and people coming in contact with water that they normally wouldn't. Dr. Kami Kim, director of infectious disease at Tampa General Hospital and the USF Health Department of Internal Medicine, told WUSF that storm surge can also contaminate other sources of water, such as freshwater rivers and lakes. With the climate crisis, these risks are becoming more common. A hotter climate provides all the ingredients of stronger and more frequent hurricanes and other storms, including record sea surface temperatures. Climate change is forecast to increase the costs of infections with bacterium that require salt, according to the Department of Agriculture, rising from nearly $2.6 billion in 1995 to a projected $6.1 billion in 2090. People can avoid exposure by not eating raw shellfish, not exposing open wounds to warm salt or brackish water, and wearing gloves and other protective clothing. But, the problem isn't going away any time soon, according to researchers at Florida Atlantic University. A 2023 study found that Vibrio pathogens are adapting to 'stick' to microplastics. They can also combine with the smelly sargassum blooms that often plague Sunshine State shores. 'Think of all the plastic debris that just went into the water because of the hurricanes,' Mia McCormick, of the non-profit group Environment Florida, told Florida Phoenix.
