Flesh-eating bacteria devour man's arm and leg in just three days

Key Points:

• A 74-year-old man in Florida developed a severe flesh-eating infection caused by Vibrio vulnificus after cutting his leg in Gulf Coast waters, leading to rapid tissue death and the amputation of his right leg above the knee.
• Vibrio vulnificus, found in warm, brackish waters and contaminated seafood, can infect through open wounds or ingestion, with a mortality rate of about 35%, rising to 50-60% in immunocompromised individuals or those with liver conditions.
• The bacteria produce toxins that destroy tissue, disrupt immune defenses, and cause severe inflammation, making prompt antibiotic treatment and surgical intervention critical to survival.
• Cases of V. vulnificus infections in the US have increased eightfold from 1998 to 2018, spreading into northern states, a trend linked to climate change factors such as rising water temperatures and altered salinity.
• The CDC recommends thoroughly cooking seafood, washing hands after handling raw seafood, and avoiding exposure of open wounds to brackish water to prevent infection.