Latest news with #JaniceHaneyCarr
Newsweek
2 days ago
- Health
- Newsweek
Flesh-Eating Virus Kills Four In Florida
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Four people have died in Florida due to infections from Vibrio vulnificus, a bacterium commonly known as "flesh-eating" for its ability to cause severe and sometimes fatal tissue damage. Newsweek has reached out to Florida's Department of Health via email for comment. Why It Matters Record cases of Vibrio vulnificus surged to record levels last year in Florida, with 82 cases and 19 deaths, Florida's health department reported at the time. The majority came after the hurricanes Helene and Milton. Flagellated Vibrio vulnificus bacterium revealed in the 26367x magnified scanning electron microscopic (SEM) image, 2005. Image courtesy Centers for Disease Control (CDC) / Janice Haney Carr. Flagellated Vibrio vulnificus bacterium revealed in the 26367x magnified scanning electron microscopic (SEM) image, 2005. Image courtesy Centers for Disease Control (CDC) / Janice Haney Carr. Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images What To Know Fatalities have been reported across Bay, Broward, Hillsborough, and St. Johns counties, according to the Florida Department of Health, who reported the fatalities on July 11. This marks the first fatalities in connection with the bacterium this year. There have been a total of 11 confirmed infections across the state so far this year. The Florida Department of Health did not confirm the sources of these cases. What is Vibrio Vulnificus? Vibrio vulnificus is a naturally occurring bacterium found in coastal waters, including salt and brackish water. There are around a dozen kinds of Vibrio, which cause the human illness, vibriosis. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that there are 80,000 cases of vibriosis each year in the U.S., of which 52,000 cases are the result of eating contaminated food. The most common species that cause human illness in the U.S. are Vibrio parahaemolyticus, Vibrio vulnificus, and Vibrio alginolyticus. Thomas A. Russo, professor and chief, Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Buffalo, told Newsweek over email, "The range of Vibrio vulnificus is defined by warm, brackish, and coastal marine environments, with ongoing expansion into higher latitudes as global temperatures rise. This organism is most prevalent in regions with water temperatures above 20°C and moderate-to-high salinity." "Cases have been rising as summers have grown warmer," Aileen Marty, professor of Infectious Diseases, Florida International University, told Newsweek, "The reason is that V. vulnificus is naturally found in warm, brackish coastal waters, especially in the Gulf Coast states (e.g., Florida, Texas, Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi)." Marty told Newsweek, "Symptoms often appear within 12–24 hours and include gastrointestinal distress, fever, blistering skin lesions, and potentially life-threatening sepsis or necrotizing fasciitis after wound exposure. Most severe cases occur in people with underlying health problems; mild or asymptomatic cases are likely underreported, as healthy individuals may experience few or no symptoms." Russo also told Newsweek, "Entry of V. vulnificus into an open wound (pre-existing or acquired while in the water) is the most common means of acquisition. Eating raw seafood is another, especially raw oysters." "Although healthy individuals can develop infection, which can be severe, individuals with chronic liver disease, hemochromatosis, diabetes mellitus, immunosuppression, and iron overload states are at higher risk for developing severe infection, which can be fatal," Russo said. What People Are Saying Thomas A. Russo, professor and chief, Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Buffalo, told Newsweek over email, "Infections can occur with the combination of environmental exposure and host-factors... If you have a wound, cut, or disruption of your skin for whatever reason (e.g. recent surgery, tattoos et al) stay out of the water (seawater or brackish water) or cover the wound if exposure cannot be avoided. If you get a cut or injury while in the water, get out asap and wash the area," Russo said. Aileen Marty, professor of Infectious Diseases, Florida International University, told Newsweek over email, "The primary transmission routes are through the ingestion of raw or undercooked shellfish, especially oysters, or exposure to brackish water through wounds. Individuals at highest risk include those with chronic liver disease (such as hepatitis B or C), diabetes, immune suppression, alcohol use disorder, malignancy, renal disease, or iron overload conditions like hemochromatosis." William Schaffner, MD, professor of Preventive Medicine, Department of Health Policy, told Newsweek over email, "The precautions are straightforward. Avoid going into the coastal water if you have broken skin. If you sustain an injury in the water, wash it off promptly and seek appropriate medical attention, particularly if the wound looks infected or the area becomes painful. Tell your provider of your water contact. Persons with chronic liver disease or who are immunocompromised should avoid eating raw oysters." What's Next Whether cases will rise this year remains to be seen.
CTV News
5 days ago
- Health
- CTV News
Legionnaires disease outbreak has sickened 40 people in Ontario. Here is what you need to know
This 2009 colorized 8000X electron micrograph image provided by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows a large grouping of gram-negative Legionella pneumophila bacteria. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Janice Haney Carr) A recent outbreak of Legionnaires disease in London, Ont. is raising the profile of the bacterial infection, with some wondering whether it can pose a risk to the greater public. The illness, which is caused by Legionella bacteria, manifests as a severe form of pneumonia. Common symptoms include fever, cough and shortness of breath. Infectious disease physician Dr. Isaac Bogoch explains the bacterial infection lives in nature, which means it can be found in soil and water. However, he stresses that the illness doesn't spread from person to person and can only be contracted by breathing it in by way of human-made systems. 'This is usually acquired by inhaling the bacteria,' he tells CTV News. 'You get sporadic cases, but oftentimes you can get outbreaks. And the reason you get outbreaks is sometimes the bacteria can get into HVAC systems, water coolers and water towers.' How common is it? While rare, there have been cases of the illness spreading through indoor environments like hotels or offices, via HVAC systems, cooling towers or air conditioning. Data released by Public Health Ontario (PHO) in May showed that there were 363 confirmed cases of the virus in 2024, which was roughly in line with the annual average of 354. The rates across much of the GTA were all under 1.9 cases per 100,000 people. n 2024, the Middlesex-London Health Unit (MLHU) reported the highest rate of legionellosis at about 7.7 cases per 100,000 people. How is it treated? The infection is treated with the same common antibiotics used for pneumonia. When a case of Legionella is identified, there will be a public health effort to trace where it was potentially acquired. This is to verify if there are other cases and what potential common source led to the outbreak. 'If there are people in the same place like a shopping centre, hotel or church, that are all getting pneumonia, you can start to look for potential contaminated air conditioning, HVAC systems, etcetera,' Bogoch says. He adds that there currently isn't an outbreak of Legionnaires disease in Toronto. While the illness appears infrequently, Bogoch says it's also not uncommon for cases to occur. The risk of Legionella is especially high for older adults, smokers, those with chronic lung disease or anyone who is immunocompromised. When does it occur? Residents can be exposed to the Legionella bacteria at any point but Public Health Ontario says that most cases occur between June and September, with July seeing the largest volume of cases. PHO says that last July the positivity rate peaked at 6.4 per cent before trending downward. It says that the proportion of confirmed cases that resulted in hospitalization in 2024 was 76.6 per cent. About five per cent of cases resulted in death in 2024, according to PHO. What happened in London? The health unit in London, Ont., said this week that more than 40 cases of legionella have been confirmed within a six-kilometre radius, with one case resulting in death. The Middlesex-London Health Unit has said it doesn't know the source of the outbreak but still considers the risk to the public to be 'low.' 'Most people who are exposed to legionella bacteria will not become infected or develop symptoms. Risk factors for Legionnaire's disease including being elderly, immunocompromised or having underlying lung conditions,' a spokesperson told CTV News earlier this week. Why is it called Legionnaires disease? The name Legionella stems from when the bacterial infection was first characterized in 1976, after many people became ill during a Legion convention in Philadelphia, leading to an epidemiologic investigation.
Perth Now
18-06-2025
- Health
- Perth Now
One dead after legionnaires' outbreak
One person has died following an outbreak of legionnaires' disease in Sydney's CBD prompting authorities to issue a health alert. NSW Health said 12 people who spent time in the city and surrounding suburbs between March and April had contracted the deadly disease. 'Sadly, one of the people who contracted the disease passed away in hospital last week,' a NSW Health spokesman said on Wednesday. Authorities tested more than 165 cooling towers in the city and detected legionella bacteria in one. The cooling tower is being decontaminated and further tests are being conducted to determine if it was the source of the outbreak. Authorities tested more than 165 cooling towers in Sydney and detected legionella bacteria in one, which is being decontaminated. Supplied/ Janice Haney Carr/ Public Health Credit: Supplied Authorities urge anyone who was in Sydney's CBD or surrounding suburbs between March and April to be aware of symptoms. NewsWire / Nikki Short Credit: News Corp Australia Anyone who was in the Sydney CBD and surrounding suburbs between March and April is urged to be aware of symptoms including fever, chills, coughing and shortness of breath. Symptoms can develop up to 10 days after exposure and anyone who experiences symptoms should see their doctor. South Eastern Sydney Local Heath District Public Health Unit Director Vicky Sheppeard said 11 people with the disease had been hospitalised and one person received care out of hospital. 'Legionnaires' disease is caused by infection with legionella bacteria,' Dr Sheppeard said. NSW Health confirmed 12 people have contracted legionnaires' disease who spent time in Sydney's CBD and surrounding suburbs between March and April. NewsWire / Nikki Short Credit: News Corp Australia 'Outbreaks sometimes occur when bacteria from environmental sources such as cooling towers atop large buildings become contaminated. It is not spread from person to person. 'NSW Health continues to work closely with the City of Sydney to identify, inspect and sample any cooling towers in the CBD potentially implicated in the outbreak. 'Most building owners have responded quickly to ensure that their cooling towers are operated and maintained in compliance with the NSW Public Health Regulation 2022.'
