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News18
2 days ago
- Health
- News18
The Deadly Flesh-Eating Bacteria: What You Need To Know About Vibrio Vulnificus
Last Updated: A rare flesh-eating bacteria lurking in warm coastal waters has claimed lives in Florida, raising urgent health concerns. As temperatures rise in the summer, so does the risk of bacterial infections—especially those caused by heat-loving microbes. Some bacteria flourish in warm climates, becoming potent enough to overwhelm human immune systems and cause life-threatening illnesses. In a disturbing development in 2025, four individuals in Florida lost their lives to a rare, flesh-eating bacteria. These fatalities are part of 11 confirmed cases this year alone. So, what exactly is this dangerous bacteria spreading across parts of the U.S.? The culprit is Vibrio vulnificus, a rare but deadly bacterium that thrives in warm, brackish water. According to Florida health authorities, the bacteria has been responsible for 448 reported infections and 100 deaths in the state since 2016. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that Vibrio vulnificus is typically found in higher concentrations from May through October, coinciding with warmer ocean temperatures. The CDC estimates around 80,000 Vibrio infections and roughly 100 related deaths occur in the U.S. annually, although not all are caused by Vibrio vulnificus specifically. Who faces the greatest risk? The recent Florida deaths occurred in Bay, Broward, Hillsborough, and St. Johns counties, with additional cases found in Duval, Escambia, Lee, Manatee, Santa Rosa, and Walton counties. Those with compromised immune systems or chronic health issues are most at risk. 'People who are most vulnerable include those undergoing chemotherapy, individuals with liver disease like cirrhosis, and anyone with weakened immune defenses," explained Dr. Edward Hirsch, an infectious disease expert at HCA Florida University Hospital, in an interview with CBS News. Ingesting the bacteria may lead to symptoms such as: Diarrhea Stomach pain Nausea Vomiting Fever When the bacteria enters the body through an open wound, signs may include: Swelling Skin discoloration Ulcers or skin breakdown Dr. Hirsch notes that the infection can cause the affected tissue to break down rapidly, potentially leading to holes in the skin or deeper tissue destruction. Why is it called a flesh-eating bacteria? Despite the name, Vibrio vulnificus doesn't literally 'eat" flesh. Instead, it kills surrounding tissue, often leading to a condition known as necrotizing fasciitis. Once this sets in, urgent medical treatment is necessary sometimes requiring extensive surgery or even limb amputation. How can you protect yourself? Preventing Vibrio vulnificus infections involves a few simple but crucial steps: Avoid swimming in saltwater or brackish water if you have cuts or open wounds If injured in the water, exit immediately and clean the wound thoroughly Use waterproof bandages to protect existing wounds that may come in contact with water or seafood Always clean and cook seafood properly Seek medical attention promptly if any wounds show signs of infection after exposure to coastal waters While Vibrio vulnificus infections are rare, their effects can be devastating. Awareness, caution, and quick action are key to staying safe during the warm summer months. view comments First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
Rare flesh-eating bacteria on the rise in the US: Causes, symptoms, who is at risk, prevention and more
Image credits: Getty Images The warm temperatures of the summer are perfect breeding climates for a variety of bacteria that thrive in increasing temperatures. These developed and quickly rising bacteria are strong enough to battle the immune system and lead to severe health problems, including death. In 2025, a rare flesh-eating bacteria led to the death of four people in Florida. These deaths are among the 11 cases of bacterial infection confirmed in the year so far. What is this bacteria and how is it fatal? Know all about it below! What is the flesh-eating bacteria attacking Americans? Since 2016, Florida has recorded 448 cases and 100 deaths, all because of Vibrio Vulnificus. This is a rare flesh-eating bacteria found in warm, brackish seawater, according to state health officials. According to the Centres for Disease Prevention and Control, the bacteria are naturally found in higher numbers from May to October, due to the warm temperatures. How do people get infected? Image credits: X/@erlesen Vibrio Vulnificus infections are rare, with about 80,000 Vibrio cases and 100 related deaths each year in the United States, as per the CDC. The infections are mostly caused by the consumption of contaminated raw or undercooked seafood, when an open wound comes into contact with the bacteria-infected coastal waters, or when someone swallows the water. Who is at risk? This year, the deaths due to the bacteria occurred in Bay, Broward, Hillsborough and St. Johns counties. Other cases have been confirmed in Duval, Escambia, Lee, Manatee, Santa Rosa and Walton counties. The bacteria pose a high risk to individuals with weak immune systems or chronic health conditions. "People who are most at risk are immunocompromised — people with cirrhosis, people on chemo, anybody who has a compromised immune system of any kind," said Dr. Edward Hirsch, an infectious disease specialist at HCA Florida University Hospital, to CBS NEWS. What are the symptoms of Vibrio Vulnificus ? Image credits: X/@ChrisRobbinsWX Common symptoms of the bacterial infection include diarrhoea, stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting and fever, as per the CDC. With open wounds, symptoms can be discolouration, swelling, skin breakdown and ulcers. According to Hirsch, "It progresses to making a hole in whatever part of your body got infected." How is Vibrio Vulnificus a flesh-eating bacteria? The bacteria don't eat, but kill the tissue. It can not penetrate unharmed skin, but if it enters through an existing break- like a wound, it can cause necrotizing fasciitis, and the flesh around the infection site could die. Then, according to the CDC, the infected site could require a major surgery or even limb amputation. How to prevent Vibrio Vulnificus infections? Image credits: X/@cnile56ace One of the primary methods of prevention is to rinse off after swimming in ocean water and properly clean and cook seafood, as these are the two main sources of infections. According to the Florida Department of Health and the CDC, other prevention tips include: Stay out of saltwater or brackish water if you have a wound or cut. If you get a cut in the water, leave the water immediately. Cover the wounds with a waterproof bandage if they come in contact with contaminated water or seafood. Avoid cross-contamination of cooked seafood and other seafood with raw seafood. Immediately visit a medical professional for infected wounds.
Wall Street Journal
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Wall Street Journal
‘My Childhood in Pieces' Review: A Life of Grins and Groans
Edward Hirsch, the celebrated poet, began life as Edward Rubenstein, the son of a mom named Irma and a dad who went by Ruby. But Ruby was a gambler and a gadabout, and Irma divorced him and married a man named Kurt Hirsch. When Eddie was 10, Irma wanted to change the boy's last name to the last name of his stepfather. Ruby objected. A nasty little court battle ensued. Irma prevailed and the boy became Edward Hirsch—or so he and almost everyone else thought. But it turned out Irma didn't bother to file the legal papers to change her son's name until he was about to turn 21. He only found out decades later. The deception was but one of many odd, occasionally funny and sometimes painful aspects of Mr. Hirsch's life growing up in a Chicago suburb, as recounted in 'My Childhood in Pieces.' The story unfolds in an almost pointillist style, in snippets of recollections, some only a sentence or two long. The result is a sprawling narrative peopled by an eccentric crew of relatives and friends and quickened with an array of setbacks, successes, disappointments and cruelties told with wit and a few regrets. Mr. Hirsch subtitles his memoir 'A Stand-Up Comedy, a Skokie Elegy,' and he hits both notes. Skokie is a newish town some 15 miles north of downtown Chicago, populated in significant part by Jews, including, in Mr. Hirsch's youth, a fair number of Holocaust survivors.
