SShortly after the torrential rains and storm surge from Hurricane Helen subsided, the Florida Department of Health faced a new but familiar problem. They are reported A case of vibriosis characterized by skin swelling, redness, pain, blisters at the wound site, accompanied by fever and nausea. For some people, infection is life-threatening. As of October 25, 2024, there were 77 people infected and 15 deaths, and in 2023 there were 46 people infected and 11 deaths.
The culprits behind these infections are naturally occurring waterborne bacteria. vibrio vulnificus. Several news organizations have explained V. vulnificus It has been defined as a “human-eating” bacterial species, and experts say this description is correct. misleading. “As the name suggests, the physical body does not disintegrate upon physical contact,” he said. Gabriel Barbaraite-McHenrya microbiologist and public extension officer at Florida Atlantic University. Late-stage symptoms of infection can cause tissue necrosis around the open wound; vibrio Even prolonged exposure will not destroy healthy, intact skin.
vibrio A group of marine bacteria that thrives in warm, brackish waters where freshwater and saltwater mix, such as the estuaries on the Florida coast. Most species are harmless to humans, but some include: V. vulnificusmay cause infection.
“They’ve always been here and they’ll always be here,” Barbaraite-McHenry said. “I like to compare them to rip currents, lightning, sharks, etc. It’s just some of the things that exist in nature. [doing recreation] You just need to be careful and careful to prevent infection. ”
Although rare, infection can occur if a person with an open wound is exposed to water containing high levels of bacteria for a long time or if they consume raw or contaminated seafood. Symptoms of vibriosis may appear within hours to days after exposure. V. vulnificus infectious disease It can be serious and life-threatening, especially for people with weakened immune systems.1 If the bacteria spreads to the bloodstream, fever, chills, shock, and death can occur.
Barbaraite McHenry’s graduate school research focused on fishermen exposed to pathogens in the Indian River Lagoon, an estuary on Florida’s Atlantic coast. She said it was always the same for people who died after severe bibiosis. By the time they woke up, they had to go to the hospital and it was too late to treat them. So this is definitely a serious infection, but it’s very easy to prevent if people are aware of it or if they’re proactive on the front lines. ”
In the United States, Florida has the highest number of vibriosis cases, with most infections reported in the summer when water temperatures are warmest and precipitation is heaviest. This also coincides with hurricane season, and the ensuing storm surge and coastal flooding can reduce the salinity of local waters, making them more livable. V. vulnificus. “The West Coast, where there’s been a lot of flooding, we’re seeing outbreaks from the storm,” Barbaraite-McHenry said.
The recent surge in Vibrio infections is not unusual. In September 2022, the Florida Department of Health reported: increase Number of infected people and deaths after Hurricane Ian.2 In a paper published in 2023, mBioUniversity of Maryland researchers used metagenomics to Microbial profile Present in waters and oysters along the Florida Gulf Coast after Hurricane Ian.3 in addition to V. vulnificusthe team identified Vibrio parahaemolyticusanother pathogenicity vibrio Species that cause vibriosis.
The study also showed the following cases: V. vulnificus Cases in Florida increased fivefold between 1992 and 2022. Many experts are climate change Coastal communities will continue to experience hardship Increased risk of vibriosis.4,5
“Every year around this time something hits the headlines, but these bacteria actually exist year-round,” Barbaraite-McHenry said. “It is common for infectious diseases to increase during this time of year, but the best part is that prevention is very easy. People just need to be aware of it and take the necessary precautions. is.”
For more information about preventing Vibrio infections (vibriosis), please visit: CDC and Doha, Florida.
