Flesh-eating bacteria cases in Florida rise after back-to-back hurricanes

The Florida Department of Health issued a informing to residents and visitors to debar floodwaters arsenic cases of flesh-eating bacteria proceed to emergence successful the aftermath of back-to-back hurricanes that ravished the Gulf Coast.

In a property release, officials said determination is an accrued hazard of Vibrio bacterial infections similar Vibrio vulnificus, which tin beryllium life-threatening.

Data from the state’s wellness section shows 70 cases of Vibrio bacteria person been reported successful 2024, which are liable for 11 deaths. When compared to figures from 2022, the stats are akin to erstwhile Hurricane Ian damaged Collier and Lee counties, FOX 13 successful Tampa reported.

The emergence successful cases successful Citrus, Hernando, Hillsborough, Lee, Pasco, Pinellas and Sarasota counties, the wellness section noted, was owed to impacts from hurricanes Helene and Milton.

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A h2o rescue squad subordinate walks done flood waters astatine an flat analyzable successful the aftermath of Hurricane Milton, Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, successful Clearwater, Fla.  (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)

According to the wellness department, Vibrio bacteria is commonly recovered successful lukewarm coastal waters and tin origin unwellness erstwhile ingested oregon erstwhile unfastened wounds are exposed to contaminated water.

"After dense rainfall and flooding, the attraction of these bacteria whitethorn rise, peculiarly successful brackish and saltwater environments," the wellness section said.

Officials said individuals with compromised immune systems, liver illness oregon unfastened wounds are astatine higher hazard for Vibrio vulnificus.

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In this aerial view, a idiosyncratic walks done flood waters that inundated a vicinity aft Hurricane Milton came ashore connected October 10, 2024, successful Punta Gorda, Florida. The tempest made landfall arsenic a Category 3 hurricane successful the Siesta Key country of Florida, causing harm and flooding passim Central Florida.  (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

If contracted, an idiosyncratic whitethorn acquisition diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain, chills, a quicker bosom rate, disorder oregon disorientation.

The wellness section suggests anyone experiencing these symptoms aft being exposed to floodwaters question aesculapian attraction immediately.

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This Scanning Electron Micrograph Sem Depicts A Flagellated Vibrio Vulnificus Bacterium. (BSIP/UIG Via Getty Images)

To debar contracting the flesh-eating bacterial infection, the wellness section suggests not swimming successful floodwaters, lasting water, seawater oregon brackish water, and to screen unfastened cuts and wounds with waterproof bandages.

Along with a emergence successful life-threatening bacteria, FOX 13 reported that scientists are monitoring for a emergence successful Karenia brevis, besides known arsenic the algae that produces reddish tide, on the Gulf Coast.

After Hurricane Milton made landfall successful Sarasota, satellites began to observe important levels of chlorophyll, which tin trigger reddish tide events.

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While the toxins person the quality to origin an idiosyncratic to person respiratory symptoms, vulnerability to Karenia brevis is not known to effect successful quality death, though it tin beryllium detrimental to marine life.