Latest news with #Milton
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
‘Alligator Alcatraz' Detention Center Poses Serious Risks to Immigrants Beyond Just Alligators
Experts are concerned about the dangerous conditions at Alligator Alcatraz, the immigrant detention center that opened Tuesday in the Florida Everglades. Hurricanes, flooding, and mosquitoes pose a more likely threat to people incarcerated there than the alligators and snakes that President Donald Trump has 'joked' about. Built in eight days, the facility consists of large tents, bunk beds, and chain-link fences that form cages to hold about 3,000 people. It has already flooded once. Despite the rudimentary setup, it will cost $450 million a year to run, according to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. The first group of immigrants has already been brought to Alligator Alcatraz, according to the Florida Division of Emergency Management. 'Florida is proud to help facilitate @realDonaldTrump's mission to enforce immigration law,' the division posted on X. The facility's inhospitable nature is a selling point for Republicans. 'If people get out, there's not much waiting for them other than alligators and pythons,' Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier said in a video promoting Alligator Alcatraz. 'Nowhere to go, nowhere to hide.' The immigrants 'are in a facility that is very inaccessible to lawyers, to family members, to oversight,' Renata Bozzetto, deputy director of the Florida Immigrant Coalition, told The Washington Post in an article published Saturday. 'So the location being so remote and isolated is a problem. Being in an environmentally fragile ecosystem is a problem. Being constructed with temporary materials will be catastrophic in case of a hurricane.' The facility is in a High-Velocity Hurricane Zone, where building code requires that buildings have a wind-resistant design. Florida's emergency management director, Kevin Guthrie, told The Washington Post that the structures are rated for winds traveling 110 miles an hour. For reference, top speeds of last year's Hurricane Milton reached 180 miles per hour. In a state where backyard pools are surrounded on all sides by screens, the mosquitos are so bad that television reporters are even having trouble doing their jobs. 'You're probably wondering why I'm wearing a hoodie and a rain jacket, and that's because you can barely walk outside here because of the mosquitoes,' said NBC6's Hatzel Vela. 'Naturally, when you get a lot of rain and puddles of water, that of course breeds a lot of mosquitoes.' The mosquitoes can cause serious health risks. 'The risk of mosquito-borne disease at this site is significant,' Durland Fish, professor emeritus of epidemiology at the Yale University School of Public Health, told The Washington Post. Mosquitoes in the Everglades can cause neurological damage like encephalitis, which can be life threatening. 'The second you open up your car, your car is infested with mosquitoes,' Florida Rep. Anna Eskamani told Fox 13. She said she wore a mosquito net and was still bitten dozens of times. Eskamani was one of five Democrats who were denied entry to the facility on Thursday. 'Florida law gives legislators the authority to make unannounced visits to state-run facilities — to inspect conditions and check on the wellbeing of the people inside. I've served in the Legislature for 13 years, and this has never happened,' state Sen. Shevrin Jones posted on X. 'This is a blatant abuse of power and an attempt to conceal human rights violations from the public eye,' the lawmakers said in a joint statement. Republicans have gleefully supported the facility's construction, with the Florida Republican Party selling merchandise promoting the camp. Some donors are cashing in on the camp, Rolling Stone reported earlier this week. For example, the president of CDR Companies, which Bloomberg reported 'will run medical services and did some site preparation,' has made donations to President Donald Trump and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. The facility is surrounded on three sides by the homes of Miccosukee and Seminole people, including their ceremonial sites. 'It's a place where we come for healing, where we come to pray,' Betty Osceola, a member of the Everglades Advisory Board and the Miccosukee Tribe, told NBC News. More from Rolling Stone Trump Voter Andrew Schulz Can't Believe Trump Isn't Doing What He Campaigned On The DOJ's Epstein Memo Is Tearing the Trump Administration Apart Blue States Invest Retirees' Savings in Firms Boosting Trump's Extreme Agenda Best of Rolling Stone The Useful Idiots New Guide to the Most Stoned Moments of the 2020 Presidential Campaign Anatomy of a Fake News Scandal The Radical Crusade of Mike Pence Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Health
- Yahoo
‘Flesh-eating' bacteria linked to first Florida deaths of 2025; one near Jacksonville
In Florida, 11 people have contracted Vibrio vulnificus, the so-called "flesh-eating" bacteria, and four of them have died from it so far in 2025, according to the Florida Department of Health. As of July 11, two cases have been reported in Northeast Florida, including one that led to the death of a St. Johns County resident. The other three fatalities in Florida have occurred in Bay, Broward and Hillsborough counties. Last year, there were a record 82 cases and 19 deaths, most of them after October, when large areas of the state were flooded by back-to-back hurricanes Helene and Milton. Vibrio vulnificus requires brackish saltwater to spread. Nationwide, vibriosis from Vibrio vulnificus and other Vibrio bacteria causes an estimated 80,000 illnesses and 100 deaths every year, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). What is Vibrio vulnificus? Vibrio vulnificus is a naturally occurring bacterial infection found in brackish seawater. People can contract it by exposing open cuts or wounds to the water or by eating raw or undercooked seafood. The FDOH did not specify the sources of the new cases. If the bacteria infect a person, they can cause the skin and soft tissue around a wound to quickly break down. Treatment may require limb amputation to stop the rapid flesh deterioration, and the infection can be fatal. Is there any 'flesh-eating' bacteria in Jacksonville? Locally, only one case has been identified in Duval County, but based on records by the Florida Health Department, no deaths have been reported in Jacksonville as of 2025. How many people have died from flesh-eating bacteria in Florida? Where? According to the FDOH, 4 people have died so far in 2025, as of Friday, July 11: Bay County: 1 Broward County: 1 Hillsborough County: 1 St. Johns: 1 Between 2008 and 2025, 178 people in Florida have died from Vibrio vulnificus, according to FDOH records. How many cases of flesh-eating bacteria have been reported in Florida? Where? According to the FDOH, 11 cases have been reported so far in 2025, as of Friday, July 11: Bay County: 1 Broward County: 1 Escambia County: 1 Hillsborough County: 1 Lee County: 1 Manatee County: 1 St. Johns County: 2 Santa Rosa County: 1 Walton County: 1 Latest conditions: Is the water safe to swim or fish near Jacksonville, Florida? More conditions: How is the water at Jacksonville's beaches? Where are the flesh-eating bacteria in Florida? The Vibrio vulnificus bacteria can be found in raw or undercooked seafood, saltwater, and brackish water, which is created when fresh water from a river or lake meets the salty water of the sea. Flooding spreads brackish water into places it doesn't usually get to, and people working in floodwaters during and after storms are susceptible. Vibrio vulnificus, while rare, can be life-threatening. Some Vibrio vulnificus infections lead to necrotizing fasciitis, a severe infection in which the flesh around an open wound dies. Without treatment, death can occur in just a few days. People with compromised immune systems, liver disease, or open wounds are at higher risk for Vibrio vulnificus, the FDOH said. What are the symptoms of Vibrio vulnificus or 'flesh-eating bacteria'? (WARNING: AN IMAGE BELOW MAY BE TOO GRAPHIC FOR SOME AUDIENCES) Common symptoms of Vibrio infection may include: Watery diarrhea, often accompanied by stomach cramping, nausea, vomiting, and fever. Bloodstream infection: fever, chills, dangerously low blood pressure, and blistering skin lesions. Wound infection, which may spread to the rest of the body: fever, redness, pain, swelling, warmth, discoloration, and discharge (leaking fluids). If you experience these symptoms after being exposed to floodwaters, seek medical attention immediately. Healthcare professionals can treat the infection with antibiotics, but in extreme cases arms and legs may need to be amputated to remove dead or infected tissue. "Many people with Vibrio vulnificus infection require intensive care or limb amputations," the CDC said on their site, "and about 1 in 5 people with this infection die, sometimes within a day or two of becoming ill." Do 'flesh-eating bacteria' actually eat flesh? No, but it does kill it. Vibrio vulnificus can cause necrotizing fasciitis that kills human tissue, including the skin and outer layer surrounding muscles, nerves, fat, blood vessels and organs. Calling it 'flesh-eating bacteria' is inaccurate, − though a common reference − because (1) it kills tissue, but does not eat it; and (2) it cannot penetrate intact skin, but must enter through an existing break in the skin. Can you get the flesh-eating bacteria from another person? "There is no evidence of person-to-person transmission of Vibrio vulnificus," the FDOH said. How can I avoid contracting Vibrio vulnificus? According to the FDOH and CDC: Avoid exposure of open wounds or broken skin to warm salt or brackish water, especially flood water, or to raw shellfish harvested from such waters. Stay out of the water, or cover your wound with a waterproof bandage. Immediately wash wounds and cuts thoroughly with soap and water after they have contact with saltwater, brackish water, raw seafood, or its juices. Seek immediate medical care if a wound develops redness, swelling, or oozing, or other signs of infection such as fever, increasing pain, shortness of breath, fast or high heart rate, or confusion or disorientation. Do not eat raw oysters or other raw shellfish. Eat shellfish promptly after cooking and refrigerate leftovers. Cook them thoroughly: Boil shellfish in the shell until the shells open and then for 5 more minutes, or steam them until the shells open and then for 9 more minutes. Boil shucked oysters for at least 3 minutes or fry them in oil for at least 10 minutes at 375 degrees. Do not eat shellfish that does not open during cooking. Avoid cross-contamination of cooked seafood and other foods with raw seafood and juices from raw seafood. Wear protective clothing (e.g., gloves) when handling raw shellfish. This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Vibrio vulnificus: 1 dead in Northeast FL from flesh-eating bacteria
Newsweek
6 hours ago
- Health
- Newsweek
Deadly Bacteria Linked to Seawater Spreading up East Coast of US
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. A potentially deadly bacterium, once mostly confined to the Gulf States, is now spreading north along the U.S. East Coast. Why It Matters Vibrio vulnificus is a bacterium often labeled "flesh-eating" for its ability to cause severe and sometimes fatal tissue damage. Last year, cases of Vibrio vulnificus surged to record levels in Florida, with the Florida Department of Health reporting 82 cases and 19 deaths, marking a significant increase from previous years. State health officials linked this surge to flooding following Hurricanes Helene and Milton. A grouping of Vibrio vulnificus bacterium , image courtesy Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and colorized by James Gathany. A grouping of Vibrio vulnificus bacterium , image courtesy Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and colorized by James Gathany. Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images What To Know The first fatalities this year in connection with Vibrio vulnificus were recently reported in Florida. And the bacteria is expanding. Aileen Marty, a professor of infectious diseases at Florida International University, told Newsweek over email: "We see cases of Vibrio vulnificus every year and cases have been rising as summers have grown warmer." "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 said. However, she added: "In recent years, cases have expanded in the Eastern U.S., with instances reported as far north as Connecticut and New York, primarily attributed to rising coastal water temperatures and extreme weather events." Newsweek also spoke with Thomas A. Russo, professor and chief, division of infectious diseases at the University of Buffalo, who echoed this. "Although most common in the U.S. in the Gulf States," Vibrio vulnificus is "expanding Northward at an estimated range of 48 km/year due to increasing water temperatures," he said. "Severe infections have been described from NC, NY, and CT," Russo added. There were multiple documented cases and fatalities in these three states in 2023, as per reports from health officials and local news. Marty told Newsweek that "the treatment must be administered urgently." "Surgical intervention may be needed for extensive tissue infections—we sometimes have to amputate limbs to save lives. Rapid diagnostic strategies and awareness by HCW and the public can significantly reduce the risk of death, which can increase from roughly 33 percent to over 50 percent if treatment is delayed by just 24 hours," Marty said. 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. This causes 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. The bacterium 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 degrees Celsius [60 degrees Fahrenheit] and moderate-to-high salinity," Russo said. Marty also told Newsweek that "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," Marty said. What People Are Saying Russo added: "Avoid eating raw seafood, especially oysters, and wash your hands after handling raw seafood. If you are at increased risk for severe infection as delineated above this is particularly important. If you believe you have developed an infection, please seek health care ASAP since V. vulnificus infection can progress in a fulminant fashion; time is of the essence." William Schaffner, MD, professor of Preventive Medicine, Department of Health Policy at Vanderbilt University, 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 Health officials continue to monitor the northward spread of Vibrio vulnificus. Current information is available from the CDC and local health departments.
Newsweek
8 hours ago
- Business
- Newsweek
MLB Commissioner Not Excluding Bay Area From Expansion Talks
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. The Athletics left Oakland with the intention of building a stadium in Las Vegas before this season, and the exit was not an easy one for the fans in Oakland. Fans were boycotting the team consistently as the talks of departure continued for the Athletics' ownership, but according to John Shea of The San Francisco Standard, MLB commissioner Rob Manfred has not ruled out the return of a second team to the Bay Area. LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JUNE 23: (L-R) Assembly Speaker Steve Yeager (D-Las Vegas), U.S. Rep. Dina Titus (D-NV), President Marc Badain of the Athletics, Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred, principal owner John Fisher of... LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JUNE 23: (L-R) Assembly Speaker Steve Yeager (D-Las Vegas), U.S. Rep. Dina Titus (D-NV), President Marc Badain of the Athletics, Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred, principal owner John Fisher of the Athletics, Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo, Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority President and CEO Steve Hill and Clark County (Nev.) Commission Chairman Jim Gibson participate in a ceremonial groundbreaking for the USD 1.75 billion, 33,000-seat domed stadium for MLB's Athletics at Sutter Health Park on June 23, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. More Photo by Justine Willard/Athletics/Getty Images "In terms of expansion, open book," Manfred remarked about the potential return to Oakland in expansion. MLB isn't ruling out any possibilities in its effort to expand the league. This includes the possibility of San Jose, where the San Francisco Giants claim territorial rights to the region. Whether the league chooses to expand at all will have to wait until both the Tampa Bay Rays and the Athletics are in permanent homes that are up to MLB standards. The Rays were displaced after Hurricane Milton tore the roof off of Tropicana Field last year, but MLB is hopeful that the Rays will return to the stadium next season. The Athletics hold the key; they have broken ground, but the stadium is scheduled to be opened by 2028 at the earliest. Once both teams are in stadiums that meet the standard, the league will return to the prospect of expanding to new markets, or in the case of the Bay Area, returning to an old one. Even after the controversial exit last year, baseball in Oakland might still have a sliver of a chance of returning. More MLB: World Series At Spring Training Ballpark? MLB Reportedly Finds Solution To Rays Problem
CNET
13 hours ago
- CNET
What I Pack in My Go Bag to Stay Ready for Any Natural Disaster
Floodwaters are rising. A fire has broken out next door. A tornado siren blares overhead. In a crisis, every second counts and every decision matters. Having a fully stocked emergency go bag means you won't be scrambling to find critical supplies, medications or documents when it's time to evacuate quickly. I live on the Gulf Coast in Florida in a town that's been hit hard by hurricanes in the past. With a new hurricane season underway as of June 1, I'm more on guard than ever. Hurricanes are nothing new to me -- I grew up near the water in North Carolina, where my parents still live -- but even still, news of a developing storm gets me anxious. That's why I'm always prepared with a bag of essentials. I've built my trusty emergency go bag from hard-won experience, including during last year's hurricanes Helene and Milton. (And this bag isn't just for hurricane preparation -- my sister lives in Oklahoma and has assembled her own go bag based on my recommendations for tornadoes.) Trust me: Having a bag ready can make a chaotic, terrifying moment a little more manageable. Read also: Tornadoes, Floods, Wildfires, Intruders: 4 Ways Your Phone Can Help in an Emergency What is a go bag, and why you definitely need one A go bag (also called a bugout bag) is a backpack or small duffel packed with essentials that you, your family and your pets might need in the hours or days after a natural disaster forces you to leave home. Emergency officials, especially in hurricane- or fire-prone areas, urge every household to have at least one on standby. Ideally, each family member has their own. That way, you're not lugging one massive bag or making heartbreaking choices about what stays behind. Why you should pack a go bag now Many disasters give us some forewarning, while others strike without mercy or notice. Even with a forecast, evacuation orders can come suddenly. You'll want to be ready to leave at a moment's notice if you live in areas that regularly face: CNET Hurricanes or tropical storms Flash floods Mudslides Tornadoes Earthquakes Wildfires Ice storms Tsunamis What to pack in your emergency go bag Here's a checklist of items to include in your go bag: Go bag essentials: Water filter bottle Flashlight (solar or crank-powered) Nonperishable food (MREs or calorie-dense freeze-dried meals) Personal hygiene items (soap, toilet paper, toothbrush, etc., in waterproof bags) First aid kit (bandages, antiseptic, meds) Phone charger and portable power bank (for either iPhones or Androids) Spare batteries Work gloves Medications and copies of prescriptions Important documents (IDs, insurance, passports, birth certificates in a waterproof bag) House and car keys Map and compass (don't rely on GPS) Cash (small bills and coins) Go bag extras: Paracord (strong, compact and versatile) Carabiners (for attaching gear) Whistle (to signal for help) Fire-starting tools (lighter, waterproof matches) Dust mask Blanket (vacuum-sealed to save space) Change of clothes and a poncho Sunscreen Family photo (for ID purposes, in waterproof bag) USB drive with digital copies of family photos Paper, pens and tape (for leaving messages) Other key considerations in case of an emergency Now that you know the vital items you should pack in an emergency, here are a few additional things to consider. Skip the gallons of water and pack a water filter instead Most emergency kits recommend storing three days' worth of water at home. But carrying that much water during an evacuation may not be realistic, especially if you're on foot. Instead, pack a water purification bottle like the LifeStraw Go Bottle or the Grayl GeoPress. These filter bacteria and contaminants from ponds, ditches or even puddles, turning sketchy water into a drinkable backup source. Both bottles can clip to the outside of your bag to save room. Just be sure to read the instructions since many filters must be primed with clean water before use. Opt for a solar flashlight A power outage is almost guaranteed during a major storm. Instead of packing batteries that may run out or get soaked, opt for a solar or crank-powered flashlight, such as the ThorFire LED Flashlight. Bonus points if it doubles as an AM/FM radio for weather updates. Don't forget your pets In the chaos of an evacuation, it's easy to overlook your pets' needs, but they rely on you just as much as children do. Whether you're evacuating for a few hours or a few days, packing an emergency kit for your animals is essential for their health, comfort and safety. Here's what to include in your pet's go bag: At least three days of pet food (stored in airtight containers or zip bags) Collapsible food and water bowls Treats (they'll need comfort, too) Pet ID tags with current phone numbers Microchip info, in case your pet gets separated from you Vaccination records and proof of ownership (these may be required at hotels) A secure leash and harness Crate or carrier labeled with your name and contact info A blanket or small bed with a familiar scent Toys or chews to ease anxiety during travel Waste bags for dogs Litter box and litter for cats (a small, disposable tray works well, too) Medications and dosage instructions Pet-safe wipes or a towel for quick cleanups How to choose the right go bag The best go bag is the one you can actually carry. Don't grab a giant duffel unless you're confident you can haul it long distances. A sturdy hiking backpack made from water-resistant canvas with padded shoulder straps and a chest strap is ideal. Look for one with lots of compartments and, if possible, a built-in water reservoir, also known as a hydration pack or CamelBak. One great option we recommend is the Sandpiper of California bugout backpack, which is durable, roomy and designed for quick evacuation. Additional resources Climate change is making hurricanes, wildfires and other disasters stronger and more frequent. Preparation is no longer optional -- it's essential. Taking a few hours to assemble and safely store a go bag could save lives, reduce stress and make evacuation just a little bit easier. While the devastation of these events can be harrowing, there are many steps you can take to protect yourself, your home and your loved ones from a natural disaster. Here are some additional resources: Hopefully, your go bag is something you'll never need. But if the day comes when you do, may it be ready, reliable and right where you need it.
