
Deadly Bacteria Linked to Seawater Spreading up East Coast of US
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
A potentially deadly bacterium, once mostly confined to the Gulf States, is now spreading north along the U.S. East Coast.
Why It Matters
Vibrio vulnificus is a bacterium often labeled "flesh-eating" for its ability to cause severe and sometimes fatal tissue damage. Last year, cases of Vibrio vulnificus surged to record levels in Florida, with the Florida Department of Health reporting 82 cases and 19 deaths, marking a significant increase from previous years. State health officials linked this surge to flooding following Hurricanes Helene and Milton.
A grouping of Vibrio vulnificus bacterium , image courtesy Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and colorized by James Gathany.
A grouping of Vibrio vulnificus bacterium , image courtesy Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and colorized by James Gathany.
Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images
What To Know
The first fatalities this year in connection with Vibrio vulnificus were recently reported in Florida. And the bacteria is expanding.
Aileen Marty, a professor of infectious diseases at Florida International University, told Newsweek over email: "We see cases of Vibrio vulnificus every year and cases have been rising as summers have grown warmer."
"The reason is that V. vulnificus is naturally found in warm, brackish coastal waters, especially in the Gulf Coast states (e.g., Florida, Texas, Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi)," Marty said.
However, she added: "In recent years, cases have expanded in the Eastern U.S., with instances reported as far north as Connecticut and New York, primarily attributed to rising coastal water temperatures and extreme weather events."
Newsweek also spoke with Thomas A. Russo, professor and chief, division of infectious diseases at the University of Buffalo, who echoed this. "Although most common in the U.S. in the Gulf States," Vibrio vulnificus is "expanding Northward at an estimated range of 48 km/year due to increasing water temperatures," he said.
"Severe infections have been described from NC, NY, and CT," Russo added. There were multiple documented cases and fatalities in these three states in 2023, as per reports from health officials and local news.
Marty told Newsweek that "the treatment must be administered urgently."
"Surgical intervention may be needed for extensive tissue infections—we sometimes have to amputate limbs to save lives. Rapid diagnostic strategies and awareness by HCW and the public can significantly reduce the risk of death, which can increase from roughly 33 percent to over 50 percent if treatment is delayed by just 24 hours," Marty said.
What Is Vibrio vulnificus?
Vibrio vulnificus is a naturally occurring bacterium found in coastal waters, including salt and brackish water.
There are around a dozen kinds of Vibrio. This causes the human illness, vibriosis. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that there are 80,000 cases of vibriosis each year in the U.S., of which 52,000 cases are the result of eating contaminated food.
The most common species that cause human illness in the U.S. are Vibrio parahaemolyticus, Vibrio vulnificus, and Vibrio alginolyticus.
The bacterium is "defined by warm, brackish, and coastal marine environments, with ongoing expansion into higher latitudes as global temperatures rise. This organism is most prevalent in regions with water temperatures above 20 degrees Celsius [60 degrees Fahrenheit] and moderate-to-high salinity," Russo said.
Marty also told Newsweek that "symptoms often appear within 12-24 hours and include gastrointestinal distress, fever, blistering skin lesions, and potentially life-threatening sepsis or necrotizing fasciitis after wound exposure."
"Most severe cases occur in people with underlying health problems; mild or asymptomatic cases are likely underreported, as healthy individuals may experience few or no symptoms," Marty said.
What People Are Saying
Russo added: "Avoid eating raw seafood, especially oysters, and wash your hands after handling raw seafood. If you are at increased risk for severe infection as delineated above this is particularly important. If you believe you have developed an infection, please seek health care ASAP since V. vulnificus infection can progress in a fulminant fashion; time is of the essence."
William Schaffner, MD, professor of Preventive Medicine, Department of Health Policy at Vanderbilt University, told Newsweek over email: "The precautions are straightforward. Avoid going into the coastal water if you have broken skin. If you sustain an injury in the water, wash it off promptly and seek appropriate medical attention, particularly if the wound looks infected or the area becomes painful. Tell your provider of your water contact. Persons with chronic liver disease or who are immunocompromised should avoid eating raw oysters."
What's Next
Health officials continue to monitor the northward spread of Vibrio vulnificus. Current information is available from the CDC and local health departments.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
3 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Artificial Intelligence Influence in Ophthalmology Industry Projected to Create a Billion Dollar Revenue Opportunity
MarketNewsUpdates News Commentary NEW YORK, July 22, 2025 /CNW/ -- According to a report from Research And Markets, the AI in Ophthalmology Market was valued at USD 209.23 million in 2024, and is projected to reach USD 1.36 billion by 2030, rising at a CAGR of 36.79%. The rising prevalence of eye diseases, advancements in imaging technology, and expansion of teleophthalmology services are factors contributing to market growth. The report said: "In addition, growing preference for personalized treatment plans and increasing government initiatives fuel market growth further. The increasing prevalence of eye-related conditions, such as diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration (AMD), and glaucoma, is a significant factor driving the adoption of AI in ophthalmology. As the population ages, the incidence of these diseases increases, creating a need for efficient and accurate diagnostic tools. For instance, according to the CDC, the estimated number of Americans living with glaucoma in 2022 was 4.22 million. AI algorithms can rapidly analyze complex retinal images, facilitating early detection and treatment. For instance, AI systems have shown high sensitivity and specificity in identifying diabetic retinopathy, which allows for timely interventions and reduces the risk of vision loss. Moreover, integrating advanced imaging techniques such as Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) with AI has revolutionized ophthalmic diagnostics. High-resolution imaging provides detailed views of ocular structures, which enhances diagnostic precision when analyzed by artificial intelligence (AI). The availability of large datasets from these imaging technologies allows for the training of robust AI models, improving their accuracy and reliability in clinical settings." Active healthcare/tech companies active in the diabetes treatment industry include: Avant Technologies Inc. (OTCQB: AVAI), Alcon Inc. (NYSE: ALC), Bausch + Lomb Corporation (NYSE: BLCO), Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ), Tempus AI, Inc. (NASDAQ: TEM). Research And Markets continued: "Furthermore, teleophthalmology, the remote delivery of eye care services, has gained traction, especially in underserved regions. AI is crucial in this expansion by enabling automated analysis of retinal images, facilitating remote diagnosis, and reducing the need for in-person consultations. This approach increases access to eye care and optimizes resource utilization in healthcare systems. For instance, in June 2024, C3 Med-Tech, an ophthalmic health tech startup, raised USD 0.23 million to launch AI-enabled, portable eye screening devices. The funding is expected to support telemedicine integration, real-time disease detection, and expansion across India, aiming to reduce avoidable blindness, especially in underserved communities facing a shortage of ophthalmologists. Moreover, AI's ability to analyze and interpret data from Electronic Health Records (EHRs) facilitates personalized treatment plans in ophthalmology. AI predicts disease progression by assessing patient history, genetic information, and imaging data and recommends tailored interventions, further contributing to market growth." Avant Technologies, Inc. (OTCQB: AVAI) Joint Venture Partner Presents AI Technology at Roche Ophthalmology Conference - Avant Technologies, Inc. ("Avant" or the "Company"), an emerging technology company developing healthcare solutions using both artificial intelligence (AI) and developments in biotechnology, today announced that Vinicio Vargas, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Avant's partner, Ainnova Tech, Inc., (Ainnova), was a featured speaker Friday and Saturday at Roche's Latin America "Macular Spectacular" Ophthalmology conference in Cartagena, Colombia. The conference highlighted the latest in scientific advances in treatments for the most common eye diseases, including age-related macular degeneration, diabetic macular edema, and diabetic retinopathy, while also focusing on strengthening collaboration between industry specialists in Latin America. Ainnova's CEO, Vinicio Vargas, who is also a member of the Board of Directors of Ai-nova Acquisition Corp. (AAC), the company formed by the partnership between Avant and Ainnova to advance and commercialize Ainnova's technology portfolio, discussed the status of AI and its uses in the industry to improve patient outcomes. Vargas and a host of renowned speakers that included Dr. Laura Velásquez, Dr. Roberto Gallego, Hugo Ocampo, and other ophthalmologists and experts presented the latest tools to transform visual health in the region, reflected on unmet needs, and explained how innovation can help build stronger, accessible, and patient-centered health systems. In Q4 2024, Ainnova entered a strategic alliance with global biotech, Roche, and leading pre-paid health plan provider, Salud 360, to start a pilot program to combat diabetic retinopathy using Ainnova's AI-powered, cutting-edge technology, Vision AI. The alliance aims at improving access to vision screening in patients with uncontrolled diabetes with the hope of decreasing the risks of diabetic retinopathy. If the program is successful, Avant and Ainnova hope to implement a similar program in the United States, Canada, and Europe through AAC. AAC has the worldwide licensing rights for Ainnova's technology portfolio, which includes Ainnova's Vision AI platform. CONTINUED… Read this and more news for Avant Technologies at: In other diabetes developments and happenings in the biotech market include: Alcon Inc. (NYSE: ALC), the global leader in eye care dedicated to helping people see brilliantly, recently announced that UNITY® Vitreoretinal Cataract System (VCS) has received Health Canada approval. This innovation is the first to be introduced from Alcon's highly anticipated Unity portfolio. "Today marks an important day for Canadian ophthalmologists as we introduce the next generation of equipment solutions in cataract and vitreoretinal surgery, and we are grateful to those who helped us reach this milestone," said Franck Leveiller, Head of Global R&D and Chief Scientific Officer, Alcon. "We have a long legacy of engaging our customers throughout the research and development process to design bold innovations in ophthalmology. This approval is a significant milestone in delivering meaningful impact for Canadian Eye Care Professionals and patients." Bausch + Lomb Corporation (NYSE: BLCO), a leading global eye health company dedicated to helping people see better to live better, recently launched "Eyes Tell the Story: The Impact of Dry Eye." The campaign aims to educate about dry eye through personal stories, compelling imagery and new survey data, and encourages people with symptoms to speak with their eye doctor to find relief. Eyes Tell the Story builds upon Know Your Dry Eye, an educational campaign launched in 2024 that featured data and insights from the company's first State of Dry Eye survey, which showed the majority of Americans may not know that their eye symptoms are associated with eye dryness, despite the growing prevalence of dry eye. This year's survey, conducted among dry eye sufferers who are using either a prescription treatment or over-the-counter (OTC) product, further supports the need for more patient education and to dispel ongoing misconceptions surrounding dry eye. Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ) recently launched TECNIS Odyssey IOL in Europe, the Middle East, and Canada. The TECNIS Odyssey IOL was first launched in the US in October 2024. The TECNIS Odyssey IOL is a full vision range intraocular lens (IOL), built on the TECNIS platform from Johnson & Johnson, which, according to the company, provides 2 times better contrast in low lighting than PanOptix. The TECNIS Odyssey combines advanced optics and proprietary materials, offering consistently clear, high-contrast vision, according to the company. Tempus AI, Inc. (NASDAQ: TEM), a technology company leading the adoption of AI to advance precision medicine and patient care, recently announced it has received 510(k) clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its Tempus ECG-Low EF (ejection fraction) software, which uses AI to identify certain patients who may have a low left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). Tempus ECG-Low EF joins Tempus ECG-AF as the second FDA-cleared ECG-AI device in Tempus' growing suite of next generation devices designed to identify patients at risk for a variety of cardiovascular conditions. "With Tempus ECG-Low EF, we're adding another powerful tool to the hands of clinicians to help them identify patients at risk for serious cardiovascular conditions much earlier in their care journey," said Brandon Fornwalt, MD, PhD, Senior Vice President of Cardiology at Tempus. "Detection of LVEF is essential for undiagnosed patients, and this technology enables us to deliver that capability at scale to transform patient care. The addition of a second FDA-cleared Tempus ECG-AI solution reflects our continued commitment to advancing AI-driven cardiology." DISCLAIMER: (MNU) is a third party publisher and news dissemination service provider, which disseminates electronic information through multiple online media channels. MNU is NOT affiliated in any manner with any company mentioned herein. MNU and its affiliated companies are a news dissemination solutions provider and are NOT a registered broker/dealer/analyst/adviser, holds no investment licenses and may NOT sell, offer to sell or offer to buy any security. MNU'S market updates, news alerts and corporate profiles are NOT a solicitation or recommendation to buy, sell or hold securities. The material in this release is intended to be strictly informational and is NEVER to be construed or interpreted as research material. All readers are strongly urged to perform research and due diligence on their own and consult a licensed financial professional before considering any level of investing in stocks. All material included herein is republished content and details which were previously disseminated by the companies mentioned in this release. MNU is not liable for any investment decisions by its readers or subscribers. Investors are cautioned that they may lose all or a portion of their investment when investing in stocks. For current services performed MNU was compensated forty nine hundred dollars for news coverage of the current press releases issued by Avant Technologies, Inc. by a non-affiliated third party. MNU HOLDS NO SHARES OF ANY COMPANY NAMED IN THIS RELEASE. This release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and such forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. "Forward-looking statements" describe future expectations, plans, results, or strategies and are generally preceded by words such as "may", "future", "plan" or "planned", "will" or "should", "expected," "anticipates", "draft", "eventually" or "projected". You are cautioned that such statements are subject to a multitude of risks and uncertainties that could cause future circumstances, events, or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements, including the risks that actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, and other risks identified in a company's annual report on Form 10-K or 10-KSB and other filings made by such company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You should consider these factors in evaluating the forward-looking statements included herein, and not place undue reliance on such statements. The forward-looking statements in this release are made as of the date hereof and MNU undertakes no obligation to update such statements. Contact Information: Media Contact email: editor@ - +1(561)325-8757 View original content: SOURCE MarketNewsUpdates View original content: Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
20 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Health experts warn Trump cuts to the CDC could hurt overdose prevention: ‘A step backwards'
Public health officials across the country working to prevent overdose deaths may have just a month to prepare for up to $140m in funding cuts for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that the Trump administration has reportedly withheld. US overdose deaths began to decline for the first time in 2023 after climbing for over two decades. The CDC's Overdose Data to Action (OD2A) cooperative agreement, launched in 2019 during the first Trump administration, provides funding for overdose 'prevention and surveillance strategies'. Public health officials emphasized to the Guardian that to effectively reduce fatal overdoses, agencies must work in tandem to track substance use disorders, overdoses and changes in the drug supply, and to implement interventions, like distributing the overdose reversal drug naloxone. OD2A funding made this kind of robust response possible. The Biden administration expanded the program in 2023, giving five year grants to 90 state and local public health departments. Related: How to help people with addictions on the streets? These Oregon programs have solutions 'The funding has largely been used for surveillance, in other words, to obtain data on the opioid crisis that informs a public health response to the problem,' said Dr Andrew Kolodny, medical director for the Opioid Policy Research Collaborative at Brandeis University. 'In general, our surveillance data for the opioid crisis is awful. I would even say that one of the reasons that the opioid crisis is as severe as it is, and why, up until recently, overdose deaths have continued to go up pretty much year after year for about 25 years, is because we had very poor surveillance of the problem.' But now, health officials worry the money could run out at the end of the first two year cycle on 1 September. Dr Jenny Hua, interim deputy commissioner for Chicago's department of public health (CDPH), which receives $3.4m annually in OD2A funding, says they're preparing for the worst. 'We are doing scenario planning. The preferred scenario is that we have the entire award starting the first of August,' she said, though she's uncertain whether that's likely. Hua noted that what she's been 'told about this money is that at least half of it is available next year. The problem is that for a number of [the CDC's] cooperative agreements with local health departments and state health departments, they're receiving that money in monthly increments, which has never happened before.' She also said that the CDC now doesn't have enough money at once to distribute. A Department of Health and Human Services spokesperson said in a statement that CDC is committed to the O2DA program and that: 'We are working closely with our funding partners to make within the next month, at a minimum, initial grant awards, which may contain less than the full-year of funding in the first incremental award … This incremental funding approach is not specific to OD2A.' Hua said 'that sort of fog is making it incredibly difficult for us to make funding decisions, to allocate our resources.' The CDPH has used OD2A funding to make same day substance use disorder treatment available to patients through telehealth, and had plans to expand recovery housing for treatment. 'Do you pull the plug? What tea leaves are we supposed to read, to know what course of action to take?' Hao wondered. Kolodny said it's especially important to keep funding surveillance of multiple factors related to overdose deaths because 'right now, you can talk to five different experts, and you'll get five different explanations for why the deaths are coming down. Nobody really knows, right? And that's because we don't have good surveillance data,' he said, 'and it's about to get worse.' Surveillance means tracking not only the number of fatal and non-fatal overdoses in the US, but also the prevalence of substance use disorders, including opioid use disorder. Historically, this has been the mission of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (Samhsa), which also provides a plethora of other addiction and overdose prevention services, but that agency also faces funding cuts. OD2A funding also went towards surveillance of 'emergency drug threats' which often comes in the form of new adulterants in the street drug supply. Unexpected substances, including tranquilizers like xylazine, and potent synthetic opioids like nitazenes and carfentanil, can cause overdoses and poisonings that are more dangerous because they aren't yet well understood. Still, many health departments across the country do not monitor the street drug supply. Street drug surveillance can help officials intervene rapidly when overdoses increase. Partly thanks to OD2A funding, Chicago health officials immediately became aware of a spike in overdoses on the city's west side last May. Lab analysis revealed the spike was related to the presence of medetomidine, a potent veterinary tranquilizer, in the street drug supply. In June, the CDPH launched the Summer Opioid Response Incident Command System, a coordinated effort involving public messaging about the contaminated drug supply, distribution of naloxone and drug testing kits, and expanding access to treatment. This effort reduced overdose related emergency responses by 23% last summer compared to the year before, according to a report on the program. The Los Angeles department of public health also uses OD2A funding for 'community-based drug checking', according to a statement from a spokesperson; 'The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health recently announced a 22% decline in drug-related overdose deaths and poisonings in 2024, the most significant drop in LA County history,' adding that 'the CDC Overdose to Action LOCAL grant award contributed to these successes.' A spokesperson for the Maryland department of health said that cuts could mean layoffs for 28 public health workers, which would mean they no longer have the capacity to track non-fatal overdoses and will lose most of their capacity to track fatal overdoses. Tracking the number of people who die of overdoses is the 'bare minimum' of surveillance, according to Kolodny, who noted that funding cuts are 'frustrating' to witness. 'Trump has been especially popular in some of the regions of the country that have suffered most from the opioid crisis. So one might think that his administration would be doing everything it can to bring this problem to an end. And in my opinion, this is a step backwards,' he said. Funding overdose prevention doesn't just save lives, it also saves money, Kolodny said: 'The opioid crisis is a trillion dollar a year problem, and I'm not making up that number. That's a number that comes in part from the cost analysis on the number of lives that are lost.' Lives will continue to be lost until we can really understand what drives overdose deaths, Kolodny said: 'Without the data, we're shooting in the dark.'
Yahoo
40 minutes ago
- Yahoo
5 million swimming pools recalled after deaths of 9 children, including 1 in Florida
Five million above-ground pools are being recalled after nine reports of child drowning deaths, including one in Florida, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announced in a release July 21. The pools use compression straps that wrap around the outside of the supporting poles and may create a foothold, allowing children to access the pool and drown, the CPSC said. There have been nine reports of children between the ages of 22 months and 3 years old who have drowned after climbing into the pools. The pools have been sold since 2002 by three companies — Bestway, Intex, and Polygroup — at stores across the country including Walmart, Target, Sears, Lowe's, Kmart, Toys 'R' Us, Sam's Club, The Home Depot, Big Lots, Costco, BJ's and more, as well as online at Amazon, Wayfair, Bestway USA, Intex, Funsicle and Summer Waves. "The incidents occurred in California, Texas, Florida, Michigan, Wisconsin and Missouri between 2007 and 2022," the CPSC said. The agency said it was also aware of three other incidents in 2011 and 2012 where children were able to climb in. The CPSC did not provide details. Consumers are advised to immediately contact the companies to get a free repair kit. The kit includes a rope that replaces the strap and attaches to each of the vertical support poles at the ground level, wrapping around the pool to maintain the structural integrity without offering something to climb on. Florida No. 1 in unintentional drowning deaths From 2018 to 2020, Florida had the highest rate of unintentional drowning deaths for children aged 1 to 4 years, the highest unintentional drowning deaths among children 0 to 9, and in 2020 saw the third-highest rate of unintentional drowning deaths for children 0-17 in the nation, according to the Florida Department of Health (FDOH) and data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Drowning is the number one cause of death for children between the ages of one and four years old in the United States, according to the CDC. Of the 257 reports of children who have died in Florida so far in 2025 from the Florida Department of Children and Families, 71 listed drowning as the cause of death. There may be many more, as 103 fatalities are listed as still under investigation. Many more are left alive but with serious outcomes including brain damage and long-term disabilities, the CDC said. Nearly 40% of drowning victims who make it to an emergency room require hospitalization or transfer for further care. Three children under the age of six drowned in swimming pools in Martin County, all within three weeks of each between June and July. In 2024, Florida lawmakers passed a bill creating a program to establish a network of swimming lesson instructors in each county and offer vouchers for free swimming lessons to low-income families. Visit WaterSmartFL for more details. Which above-ground pools have been recalled? The pools are 48 inches and taller and use compression straps. The pool brand names and model numbers are printed on the pool liner on the outside of the pool, the CPSC said. The pools affected are: Bestway and Coleman models, sold 2008-2024 Power Steel Steel Pro Coleman Power Steel Intex models, sold 2002-2012 Metal Frame Pools Ultra Frame Pools Intex models (sold only at and Walmart, 2024 to 2025) Prism Frame Pool Ultra XTR Frame Pool Polygroup Models, sold 2006 to 2025 Summer Waves (2015-2025) Summer Escapes (2006-2015) Funsicle (2023-2025) Sand n Sun (2008-2011) Blue Wave (2014-2025) The recalled pools were made in China, the CPSC said, and retailed between about $400 to over $1,000 depending on the size, model and accessories. Over 200,000 have also been recalled in Canada, according to CPSC. What do I do if I have one of the recalled pools? First, make sure that children cannot get near the pool unattended or drain the pool until it can be repaired. Contact Bestway, Intex or Polygroup to request a repair kit, depending on which model you have. Bestway: Call toll free at 844-593-4003 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, go online at or email BWrecallsupport5516@ for more information. Intex: Call toll-free at 800-549-8829 from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. PTMonday through Friday, go online at or email recallhelp@ for more information. Polygroup: Call toll-free at 888-621-4137 from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. MT Monday through Friday, go online at or email at poolrecall@ for more information. The repair kit consists of a rope to attach to each of the pool's vertical support poles at the ground level. After securing the rope, customers should cut and remove the original compression strap, the CPSC said. This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Swimming pool recall: Intex, Bestway, Polygroup drownings reported