Flesh-eating bacteria found in Florida waters kills four as infections rise
The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said that Vibrio vulnificus is a naturally occurring bacterium found in warm coastal waters. People can get infected in two ways: by eating contaminated seafood or by getting the bacteria into an open wound while swimming or wading in water.Even though infections are rare, they can be extremely serious. The CDC estimates that around 80,000 people get vibrio infections in the US every year, and about 100 die."This is not a bacteria that eats flesh," the CDC clarified, "but once it gets into the body, especially through a wound, it can cause a condition called necrotizing fasciitis." In this condition, the skin and tissue around the infected area start to die. The infection can spread very fast and may even require surgery or amputation."About one in five people who get infected die, sometimes within just one day of becoming sick," the CDC said.HEALTH OFFICIALS ISSUE WARNINGSOfficials have urged people to be extremely cautious when spending time in coastal waters — especially those with any open wounds, cuts, or scrapes. "If you have a fresh wound, don't enter brackish or saltwater," said a statement from the FDOH. "The bacteria can enter your body through even small openings and cause serious health problems."Last year, Florida saw a record number of cases -- 82 infections and 19 deaths -- most of them reported after the state was hit by two hurricanes, Helene and Milton. The storms caused heavy flooding, creating the perfect environment for the bacteria to grow and spread.- Ends
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
19 hours ago
- Time of India
Fisherman loses part of foot after rare flesh-eating bacteria infection in Mumbai
Mumbai: A 78-year-old fisherman from Worli lost a portion of his left foot due to an infection caused by a rare "flesh-eating" bacteria, according to doctors who treated him for a 20-day period before discharging him last week. The bacteria was identified as Vibrio vulnificus, belonging to the same family that causes cholera, an acute diarrhoeal infection. Vibrio vulnificus is found along the coasts, and infections could be caused either by eating contaminated raw shellfish or oysters or exposure due to broken skin while wading through contaminated salt or brackish water. "Vibrio vulnificus infections have been reported in India, but are extremely rare," said Dr Gunjan Chanchalani, who heads the critical care department in Wockhardt Hospital, near Mumbai Central railway station, and was part of the team that treated the fisherman. You Can Also Check: Mumbai AQI | Weather in Mumbai | Bank Holidays in Mumbai | Public Holidays in Mumbai On June 26, the fisherman was brought to the hospital in a near-death situation. "He was in septic shock, with a bad left leg wound. We realised the infection was spreading through his body and his blood pressure was low," said the doctor. Through scans, tests, and history-taking from family members, the doctors realised he had necrotising fasciitis (flesh-eating disease) after a minor foot injury during a routine fishing trip off the Worli coast. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like This Could Be the Best Time to Trade Gold in 5 Years IC Markets Learn More Undo He recalled a sharp prick while wading through brackish water a few days earlier. Necrotising fasciitis, which can be fatal, is caused by a combination of different bacteria, with the most common being Group A Streptococcus and Staphylococcus aureus. It is known to spread throughout the body within 48 hours, and the key is to identify the organism causing it and administer the right antibiotic. The Wockhardt microbiologists found Vibrio vulnificus in the culture they grew in the lab within 48 hours, and he was started on doxycycline, the antibiotic that works on cholera as well. However, as the infection spread through his bloodstream (sepsis) and lungs, he was on a ventilator for seven days. Also, surgeons had to carry out three debridements—removal of dead (necrotic) skin tissue to help the wounded leg heal — but they had to finally amputate the front portion of his left foot. "His son told us fishermen in their colony have had similar infections," said Dr Chanchalani. "This could be due to salinity of the sea water getting reduced or pollution due to climate change," she added. Dr Rahul Pandit, who heads the ICU at H N Reliance Hospital in Girgaum, said, "Flesh-eating is a loosely used terminology; the bacteria destroy the skin, soft tissue, and fascia (muscles)." Necrotising fasciitis is not commonly seen in Mumbai, he said, with a few ICUs getting one or two cases a year. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Friendship Day wishes , messages and quotes !
Time of India
2 days ago
- Time of India
Minister announces lab for organ donation at Wenlock
Mangaluru: Minister for health and family welfare Dinesh Gundu Rao said that a satellite laboratory for complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC) crossmatch during organ transplantation to assess the compatibility between a donor and recipient will be established at Government Wenlock District Hospital, with support from Bangalore Medical Services Trust (BMST). He was speaking at the Indian Organ Donation Day programme, organised by the health and family welfare department, in association with Dakshina Kannada district administration, zilla panchayat, and Yenepoya Medical College, on Friday. The minister said that blood samples are currently being sent to Bengaluru for CDC crossmatching during organ transplantation. Similar labs will also be set up in Mysuru and Shivamogga, he said. Emphasising the need to dispel misconceptions about organ donation and to encourage more people to come forward, the minister said that organ donation can save many lives as a brain-dead person can donate up to eight organs. "Families choose to donate the organs of their loved ones even during moments of immense grief. Such decisions are highly commendable, as it gives a new lease of life to others," he said. The minister lamented that even when the demand for organs is rising, the availability remains limited. In Karnataka, 4,582 people are awaiting kidney transplants, 583 are registered for liver transplants, 133 for heart transplants, and 31 for lung transplants, he said. In 2024, 162 donors contributed 457 organs in the state. In 2025, up to July, 121 donors donated 326 organs. Karnataka ranks second in the country for organ donation, the minister said and announced that Karnataka will receive the 'Best State in Promoting Organ Donation Excellence Award' from the govt of India on Saturday. The Jeeva Sarthakathe coordinator from Hubballi-Dharwad will receive the 'Best Coordinator Award'. The govt has decided to give priority to donors' families if they require organ transplants in the future. All district govt hospitals will be strengthened to facilitate the retrieval of organs from brain-dead patients, he said. State Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (SOTTO) – Jeevan Sarthakathe state coordinator Dr Ravishankar Shetty K noted that India witnesses 1.5 lakh accidental deaths annually, yet only about 550 organ transplants are performed. DHO Dr HR Thimmaiah, Dr Mallika B, divisional deputy director department of health and family welfare, Wenlock Hospital superintendent Dr Shivaprakash DS, Lady Goschen Hospital superintendent Dr Durgaprasad MR, Yenepoya (Deemed to be University) pro chancellor Dr BH Sripathi Rao, and others were present.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Time of India
What is Legionnaires' disease? Know causes, symptoms, risk factors, prevention and more
Image credits: Getty Images Legionnaires' disease is a form of pneumonia caused by inhaling water droplets contaminated with Legionella bacteria, scientifically called Legionella pneumophila. Recently, an outbreak of the disease in Harlem, New York, has led to the death of one person and sickened 22 more. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 8,000 to 18,000 people are hospitalized with the disease in the US annually. Here's all you need to know about the disease. Causes of Legionnaires' disease Image credits: X Legionella bacteria are intracellular, aerobic bacteria that are the agent of Legionnaires' disease. They are commonly found in lakes, rivers, creeks, hot springs, and other bodies of water and grow at temperatures of 20 to 50 degrees Celsius. The bacteria was first identified in 1977 as the cause of an outbreak of severe pneumonia in a convention centre in the USA in 1976. The disease is transmitted due to the inhalation of aerosols from contaminated water containing the bacteria. The sources can be air conditioning cooling towers, hot and cold water systems, humidifiers and whirlpool spas, as per the World Health Organization. Symptoms of Legionnaires' disease Image credits: Getty Images According to the National Library of Medicine, Legionnaires' disease is a severe infection with high complication and mortality rates that requires immediate hospitalization. It has two forms- non-pneumonic (Pontiac disease) and pneumonic. The non-pneumonic is an influenza-like illness that lasts for 2-5 days with an incubation period from a few and up to 48 hours. The symptoms of this can be fever, chills, headache, and muscle pain. It is non-fatal. The pneumonic form has an incubation period of 2-10 days and has symptoms such as fever, loss of appetite, headache, malaise, lethargy, diarrhea and confusion. There is also an initial mil cough. This can be fatal with the pneumonia progressing and leading to respiratory failure and/or multi-organ failure. Who is at risk of Legionnaires' disease? People who are healthy and come in contact with the bacteria don't fall sick. However, those above the age of 50, who have a history or present of smoking, have a lung disease and a weakened immune system, and can be susceptible to bacteria quickly. Treatment of Legionnaires' disease Image credits: Getty Images While the treatment for the disease exists, there is currently no vaccine for it. It can be diagnosed with the help of a chest X-ray to see if you have been infected. Then tests such as urine or sputum tests can be made to confirm the presence of bacteria. Prevention of Legionnaires' disease The prevention of the disease relies on the control of the growth of the bacteria and the spread of the aerosols. This includes proper maintenance of cooling towers, maintaining an adequate level of biocide such as chlorine in waters, keeping hot and cold water systems clean and flushing unused taps on a weekly basis.
