Flesh-eating bacteria killing beachgoers in Florida
State authorities reported at least 11 Vibrio vulnificus infections in recent months across central Florida's Bay, Broward, Hillsborough and St Johns counties, a region popular with holidaymakers and coastal communities.
'There's a lot of bacteria that just live in different areas, even in, like, waterborne spots,' Dr Daniel Egan, an infectious disease specialist at Orlando Health, explained to WESH.
'So there's fresh water, salt water, and this bacteria called Vibrio vulnificus likes salt water.'
The Florida Health Department did not provide details about the deaths this year.
Vibrio vulnificus infections are rare, with about 150 to 200 cases reported to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) annually.
But their consequences are often devastating. The bacteria can cause necrotising fasciitis, an aggressive infection in which flesh around an open wound dies.
Many people who contract Vibrio vulnificus require intensive care or even limb amputation.
The infection carries a 20 per cent death rate overall – and as high as 50 per cent if it enters the bloodstream. In many cases, death occurs within two days of symptoms appearing.
The bacterium is naturally occurring and thrives in warm, coastal saltwater and brackish environments.
With temperatures rising globally, experts fear it could spread to areas previously unaffected. It is typically most active between May and October when waters are warmest.
Symptoms include vomiting, diarrhoea, fever, chills, elevated heart rate and disorientation. While healthy people often recover, those with long-standing conditions or compromised immune systems, including cancer patients, are at far greater risk.
Cases have surged in recent years, reaching a record high in 2024. The CDC reported 19 deaths and 82 infections, nearly doubling 2023 figures. The spike was linked to an unusually high number of late-season hurricanes in Florida and south-eastern US.
'Exposure is higher'
Cases doubled after Hurricanes Milton and Helene, as floodwaters pushed warm saltwater further inland than usual, exposing more people to potential infection.
'There are people running around, lifting, moving stuff that normally they wouldn't do, so the probability of getting that cut or exposure is higher,' said Dr Kami Kim, the director of infectious disease at Tampa General Hospital, speaking to WUSF media at the time.
Climate change is expected to drive those numbers even higher. Warmer oceans fuel stronger storms and longer hurricane seasons, increasing the conditions in which Vibrio vulnificus thrives.
The US Department of Agriculture estimates the cost of infections from salt-reliant bacteria like Vibrio vulnificus will soar to $6.1 billion annually by 2090, up from $2.6 billion in 1995.
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Telegraph
5 hours ago
- Telegraph
The seven-minute home workout that doesn't require any fancy kit
Can you get fit in seven minutes a day? As a mother of two with a busy job and an ingrained aversion to working out, I would love to believe it. I coasted through my twenties and thirties avoiding exercise. Now 44, I'm increasingly aware of the impact of my sedentary lifestyle on bone density and muscle mass – and how important those things are going to become as I get older. Could this seven-minute workout, with no specialist equipment required, only a chair and a wall (or in my case, chair and a tree), be my saviour? I came across the impressive-sounding 'exercise physiologist' Chris Jordan on my trawl for a workout that wouldn't completely floor me. Unlike other workouts which promise results, but never seem that convincing (and look terrifying), I was drawn to this one, as it seemed to have some decent science behind. Studies have shown noticeable cardiovascular and strength benefits which can be achieved with just seven minutes, assuming you're pushing yourself hard in that time. Plus the only bit of kit you need was a pair of trainers. Jordan devised the seven-minute workout over 10 years ago, at the Human Performance Institute in Orlando with the results published in the American College of Sports Medicine's Health & Fitness Journal. It soon become a phenomenon across the world introducing millions, who lacked time, but sought a fitness boost, to the benefits of brief bursts of exercise – and routines have been modelled on it ever since. The enticing subhead alone drew me in: 'Maximum Results With Minimal Investment'. Comprising 12 exercises, the idea is to do 30 seconds of each, with five seconds to move between exercises, totalling seven minutes. I turn to a local expert to put me through my paces. 'The exercises are familiar but the problem is they're often done incorrectly,' says Laura Wilson, specialist musculoskeletal physiotherapist and director of The Swiss Touch clinic. 'The key is to slow down, and pay close attention to your alignment. If you do this religiously you'll notice improvement in muscle strength, bone density, posture and balance.' Personal trainer Louisa Drake agrees, but adds that the order of the exercises is also important, as it allows each muscle group to rest while another is worked. 'It's a great example of using your own bodyweight to do a full-body workout, promising effective fitness 'in your pyjamas'' she says. But, of course, when it comes to the reality of actually focussing on these exercises as intensely as the experts suggest, it's not that simple. I quickly discover when I try the routine out (in my pyjamas); exercises like jumping jacks and running on the spot don't work for me without a proper sports bra. Not only that, but reading the small print of the study suggests that optimum results are achieved by doing three rounds of the workout, totalling 21 minutes – admittedly still not a huge time commitment, but quite different to the seven-minute headline. The trouble is, she explains, people often give up when a seemingly-easy routine doesn't work for them. 'Someone with dodgy knees shouldn't feel defeated because they can't do jumping jacks,' she says. 'And someone managing hormonal fluctuations needs modifications, not a rigid prescription.' Drake argues that the pros (accessibility, convenience, very little time needed) outweigh any cons. 'If it all starts with seven minutes in your living room, then brilliant.' Plus all the exercises can be adapted to suit different needs and dodgy knees. For me, getting out for a run, or to a class, often feels impossible to fit in, whereas seven minutes in my living room – or garden – is always doable. First thing in the morning is an excellent start to the day; certainly better than seven minutes spent doom-scrolling with my cup of tea. Here are the 12 exercises, with expert support on how to get the most out of them – plus variations to make them easier. 1. Jumping Jacks 'An excellent cardiovascular exercise, engaging multiple muscle groups while rapidly elevating heart rate,' says Drake. 'The high-impact nature of it can stress joints, and is particularly problematic for women with pelvic floor issues. In these cases, a step-touch version (step one foot out, bring it back, repeat on other side) provides similar cardiovascular benefits with significantly less impact and bouncing.' 2. Wall Sit Wilson says this deceptively simple exercise is good for building strength in your thighs and glutes, while challenging your postural control. 'Have your knees at roughly 90 degrees, keeping your back straight and your weight in your heels,' she says. 'Once you've got the hang of it, you can add a small ball between your knees to activate your inner quadricep muscles; a great exercise for knee pain.' 3. Push-ups 'It's a brilliant compound exercise simultaneously targeting chest, shoulders, triceps and core, but it can be problematic for anyone with wrist issues, lymphoedema concerns or limited upper body strength,' says Drake. 'A good starting point is wall push-ups (hands against wall, lean in and push back), moving onto incline push-ups using a chair or bench. If wrist-loading is tolerable, try modified knee push-ups.' 4. Abdominal Crunches 'I see this performed incorrectly all the time,' says Drake. 'It's also problematic for many women, particularly post-pregnancy, as they can worsen diastasis recti (abdominal separation).' If you don't have these issues, then Wilson says the key is to move from the rib cage, rather than pulling on your neck. 'Keep your chin slightly tucked, and imagine peeling each vertebra off the floor one at a time.' If you're struggling, come up only very slightly, or support your head. Drake prefers dead bugs, where you lie on your back with arms and legs raised, then slowly lower opposite arm and leg. 5. Step-ups 'These mimic real-life movements like climbing stairs, so are excellent for building functional strength and stability,' says Wilson. 'Step up with control, pressing through the front heel and keeping your hips level. Avoid using momentum or pushing off the back leg. You can make them easier by lowering the step height, or harder by holding dumbbells and slowing down the movement.' 6. Squats A classic for a reason, squats are a fabulous functional exercise. 'They strengthen the hips, thighs and core,' says Wilson. 'Start by thinking of sitting back into a chair; keep your chest lifted, knees tracking over the toes, and spine neutral. Avoid collapsing your chest or letting your knees drop inward.' If you're a beginner, use a chair behind you, and just touch it lightly with your bum before standing up again. More advanced? Make it harder by holding a weight, or adding a band around your knees. 7. Triceps Dips 'These are great for targeting the backs of the arms,' says Wilson, which is music to my bingo wings. 'But they can be tough on the shoulders if not done carefully. Keep your chest open, shoulder blades back and down, and elbows pointing straight behind you, not out to the sides. Move within a comfortable range and avoid sinking too low.' You can make them easier by bending your knees and keeping your feet close; or make them harder by straightening your legs or slowing the tempo. 8. Plank Another one that looks easy, but needs attention to detail to be effective. 'Planks strengthen the shoulders, glutes, postural muscles and core,' says Wilson. 'The goal is to hold a long line from head to heels without dropping your hips or arching your lower back. Keep your belly gently drawn in, glutes engaged, and shoulders strong.' 9. High Knees This one is easily adaptable; you can run on the spot, or march, to reduce the impact on your joints. 'Whether you're running or marching, this combines cardio with core activation in one powerful movement,' says Wilson. 'Stay tall and avoid leaning back or collapsing through your middle. Drive the knees up with energy and use your arms to help create rhythm. To increase intensity, focus on speed and lift while keeping movement crisp and light.' 10. Lunges 'This unilateral exercise builds leg strength while challenging balance and coordination,' says Drake. 'At first, you could hold onto a wall or chair for balance support, and start with stationary lunges before progressing to walking lunges.' 11. Push-up & Rotation 'It builds upper body strength while also training the core and improving spinal mobility,' says Wilson. 'The key is to rotate from the upper back, not the lower spine, and keep the hips steady. You can modify it by performing the push-up from your knees, or reducing the rotation if balance is tricky.' 12. Side Plank 'This one targets the often-neglected lateral core muscles, which are crucial for spine stability,' says Drake. 'If you need a modification, try lying on your side with knees bent – it's much easier. And side-lying leg lifts target similar muscles, if the plank position just isn't happening for you.' My verdict As a way of getting back into exercise, if you haven't done it regularly for ages, this is a brilliant way to start. Even by doing just seven minutes I noticed they were easier to do by the end of the week. Some of my favourite moves include the jumping jacks (especially the step-touch version, a saviour for the pelvic floor) which are fun and easy to do on a sunny day, as are the wall sits, with my garden tree standing in perfectly for the wall. I was dreading the push-ups, having always struggled with upper body strength. I also had a mastectomy with axillary lymph node clearance in 2021 and, since then, have been warned against putting my weight on my wrists, because of lymphoedema (swelling). But luckily, there are lots of modifications like the knee version, which I found a lot easier. I thought a push-up with rotation was the most difficult exercise on this list, but then I realised this one is just a pimped-up push-up. While intimidating at first, it's a highly effective movement. I might swap out the ab crunches for the 'dead bug' movement, as recommended by my trainer. All in all, I can fit these exercises into a quick routine that slots easily into my life – and with no loud, blaring gyms or heavy weights required. I am a convert, sign me up.
The Guardian
6 hours ago
- The Guardian
The Trump administration is making viruses great again
Do you enjoy getting sick from preventable diseases? Do you have a hankering to make once-declining viruses great again? If so, why not pop over to the US where the health secretary, Robert F Kennedy Jr, and his anti-vaccine cronies are making a valiant effort to overturn decades of progress in modern medicine? Let's start with measles cases, which are at their highest rate in 33 years in the US. The blame for this doesn't rest entirely with the Trump administration, of course, but officials certainly don't seem too bothered by it all. RFK Jr has downplayed the number of deaths that have occurred from measles and complained about all the headlines they're generating. Like the rest of his peers in the Trump administration, RFK Jr seems to have absolutely no idea what he is doing, and appears to be just making things up as he goes along. Indeed, the health secretary memorably told Congress in mid-May that he doesn't really think people should be taking medical advice from him. He seems to have forgotten that statement the moment the words left his mouth, however. Not even a couple of weeks later Kennedy announced that the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) would stop recommending Covid-19 booster shots for healthy children and pregnant women. This was a highly unusual move, as the health secretary doesn't normally make unilateral changes to vaccine recommendations like this. While Kennedy seems to govern by vibes, actual medical experts, who rely on things like evidence and data, are deeply alarmed by the removal of the shots from officials' recommended immunization schedule. '[D]espite the change in recommendations from [health and human services], the science has not changed,' the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) said in a statement. 'It is very clear that Covid-19 infection during pregnancy can be catastrophic and lead to major disability, and it can cause devastating consequences for families.' Kennedy's decision is now facing legal opposition. In the same week that the US reached its dark measles milestone, a number of leading medical associations sued the Trump administration. 'This administration is an existential threat to vaccination in America, and those in charge are only just getting started,' said the lead counsel for the plaintiffs in a statement. Restoring trust in public health agencies and vaccines, especially among pregnant women, will take far more than a lawsuit. Two new surveys, published as a research letter in Jama Network Open, have found that only 35% to 40% of US pregnant women and parents of young children say they intend to fully vaccinate their child. To reiterate: we are now at a place where a majority of pregnant women and parents don't plan to accept all recommended kids' vaccines. 'Given the high decisional uncertainty during pregnancy about vaccinating children after birth, there may be value in intervening during pregnancy to proactively support families with childhood vaccination decisions,' the researchers wrote. Unfortunately, under this administration, that's a lot easier said than done. The president is throwing a fit over backlash to his administration's sudden U-turn on the 'Epstein Files'. On Wednesday he accused his voters of being gullible 'weaklings' who had fallen for the 'Jeffrey Epstein Hoax' which, according to him, is a 'SCAM' cooked up by the 'Lunatic Left' to discredit him. (If it's all a hoax, why is Ghislaine Maxwell in prison, eh?) Then, on Thursday, Status News reported that Trump had called the editor-in-chief of The Wall Street Journal to try to block its story on Trump's relationship with the disgraced financier. No matter how many insults he flings around or threats he makes, Trump can't bury the bigger Epstein story. Instead people are more invested in finding out who Epstein's associates were than ever before and polls show most Americans believe the government is concealing information. Trump may want to look up the Barbra Streisand effect. The 25-year-old's father allegedly felt threatened because she helped support him financially. The poet and performance artist died of ovarian cancer. 'Whenever I leave this world, whether it's sixty years from now, I wouldn't want anyone to say I lost some battle,' Gibson once wrote. 'I'll be a winner that day.' Gibson was a winner this week, but the world has lost a force for good. Back in 2014, the Oscar-winning actor had surgery to remove 30 uterine fibroids– non-cancerous tumors that can cause severe pain and heavy menstrual bleeding. Black women are three times more likely to develop fibroids than white women. July is Fibroid Awareness Month and, on Tuesday, the actor helped introduce a US uterine health legislative package aimed at introducing better prevention and screening protocols and less invasive treatments. 'I hope to seek answers for the far too many women dealing with uterine fibroids,' Nyong'o said. 'We must reject the normalization of female pain.' 'We are deeply concerned about women's access to health care, especially maternal health care, in ICE detention,' the caucus wrote in a letter. They reference the case of a woman who delivered a stillborn baby after being detained in immigration custody and allegedly having medical care delayed. Sign up to The Week in Patriarchy Get Arwa Mahdawi's weekly recap of the most important stories on feminism and sexism and those fighting for equality after newsletter promotion The Tufts University doctoral student Rümeysa Öztürk writes about her 45 days in a south Louisiana processing facility. Someone needs to give that man contraceptive advice, but OK. In her new memoir, Southern says Tate strangled her in a hotel bed in 2018 and assaulted her. 'No one wants to be a victim, especially not when you come from my political background,' Southern wrote. 'I know exactly what's coming. I'll be crucified online. I'm not looking for sympathy, and I don't expect a victim trophy from any side. I'm publishing this simply because it's the truth and far too few people are telling the truth these days.' Tate, who has been accused of rape and bodily harm by multiple women, responded by accusing Southern of drumming up publicity for her memoir. Husam Masrouf, a poet from Gaza, has a surreal and haunting piece in Flaming Hydra about the lengths some starving Palestinian women are going to try to obtain nutritional supplements. You think the US is turning into a police state? I'm afraid things are not any better in the UK, where armed police may threaten to arrest you simply for peacefully holding a Palestinian flag. We live in an upside down world where accused war criminals like Benjamin Netanyahu are wined and dined by politicians, while protesting against the murder of more than 17,000 children is treated as some sort of crime. Turns out your canine companion may secretly be judging you for your reality TV habit. A new study has found that dogs engage meaningfully with the TV and have certain viewing preferences. I reckon my little chihuahua is a big fan of Game of Bones and RuPaw's Drag Race. Arwa Mahdawi is a Guardian columnist
Daily Mirror
9 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Does gardening really 'count' as exercise? Physiotherapist explains
Gardening can burn many calories, but is it as good for you as heading to the gym? Green-thumbed enthusiasts know that gardening can be exhausting. Whether you're digging flowerbeds or raking leaves, it's likely you'll burn some calories along the way. But have you ever wondered whether gardening is intense enough to be deemed a real workout? You may be surprised to know that one expert believes it can be, but it may depend on the kind of chores you undertake. Kieran Sheridan, a UAE-based physiotherapist, previously told the Mirror:"According to CDC, you can burn about 300 calories with just 45 minutes of gardening. "Planting and potting for an hour can also burn 200-300 calories. It targets a lot of muscle groups because of all the strenuous physical activity - such as planting, watering, even digging and lifting fertiliser bags." To put it into perspective, someone weighing around 10 stone would typically use up about 260 calories per hour walking at a brisk pace of 3.5mph on a treadmill, according to Very Well Fit. Increase the speed to 6mph, and the calorie expenditure shoots up to 680 per hour. Kieran points out that, similar to walking, gardening engages various muscle groups across the body, including the arms, buttocks, abdomen, back, and legs. Digging is likely the most calorie-intensive task, as the act of driving a spade into the ground works many of these muscles at once, he claimed. "It's also required to stretch first to build your strength before gardening and also to avoid cramps and overworking the muscles after gardening," Kieran continued at the time. "These gardening tasks also help burn calories just like a simple exercise would do. "I advise mixing things up when gardening. You can't do one task alone because it could strain your muscles. For example, just planting and carrying bags of mulch will be physically straining, which can lead to injuries and body pain. I'd suggest doing other tasks such as pulling weeds and raking." Beyond burning calories and building strength, exercising can have various other benefits. A recent study from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology especially emphasised this, shedding light on how physical health can affect brain ageing. Despite existing guidelines advising 150 minutes of moderate or 75 minutes of vigorous exercise every week, experts claimed that even minimal amounts can have a positive impact on brain health. These results come at a time when over 944,000 people in the UK have dementia. In light of such trends, Dr Alexis Missick, a GP at UK Meds, also told the Mirror: "Gardening activities such as digging count are beneficial forms of exercise as they help build our strength. Like other forms of exercise such as brisk walking, studies have found that daily gardening can reduce the risk of dementia. "Getting yourself moving around more by gardening can promote cardiovascular health and helps to reduce your risk of coronary heart disease (CHD),and keep your blood pressure at a healthy level."
