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Rare 'flesh-eating' bacteria causes 9 deaths this season. See where
Yahoo Health • • health
Key Points:
- Florida has reported a fourth death this season from Vibrio vulnificus, a "flesh-eating" bacterium that causes severe infections typically linked to raw seafood consumption or exposure to brackish coastal waters.
- The state has recorded 21 cases and four deaths in Bay, Broward, Marion, and Palm Beach counties as of September 10, with infection spikes often linked to flooding from major storms like hurricanes.
- Vibrio vulnificus infections can progress rapidly and are life-threatening, especially for individuals with weakened immune systems, with about 20% of infected people dying without prompt treatment.
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates 100 to 200 Vibrio vulnificus cases occur annually in the U.S., mostly in Gulf Coast states, with peak season ending in October.
- To reduce risk, the CDC advises cooking seafood thoroughly, avoiding coastal water exposure with open wounds, and practicing good hygiene after handling raw seafood, especially for high-risk individuals.
