Latest news with #bacterialinfection
Yahoo
a day ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Four people have died from flesh-eating bacteria in Florida. Who is at risk?
Four people in Florida have died this year from bacterial infections that can cause 'flesh-eating' wounds, the state's health department reported this month. The culprit, the bacteria Vibrio vulnificus, thrives in warm seawater. The deadly cases were seen in counties spread around Florida's extensive coastline, from Bay County in the Panhandle and Hillsborough County, where Tampa is located, on the Gulf Coast, to Broward County in southeastern Florida and St. Johns County just south of Jacksonville. Florida has seen 11 Vibrio vulnificus cases so far this year, the state's health department says. The bacteria can get into the body through open wounds in the skin and cause the surrounding tissue to die, a condition known as necrotizing fasciitis, or flesh-eating disease, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. People can also get Vibrio vulnificus from eating contaminated foods, particularly raw oysters. It's unclear how the people in Florida were infected. About 1 in 5 people with a Vibrio vulnificus infection die, the CDC says. Antarpreet Jutla, an engineering professor at the University of Florida who researches Vibrio bacteria, said Vibrio vulnificus infections are still rare, though they tend to increase after hurricanes. Last year, Florida saw a total of 82 cases, which may have been exacerbated by the 'extremely active' hurricane season. What is Vibrio vulnificus? Vibrio vulnificus is one of over 200 species of Vibrio bacteria, said Rita Colwell, a professor emerita of microbiology at the University of Maryland. The majority of Vibrio infections aren't harmful to humans, Jutla said. Some only affect other animals. But Vibrio bacteria do cause about 80,000 infections in people each year, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Most of those cases are gastrointestinal. Only a small handful — 100 to 200 cases — are due to Vibrio vulnificus. Other Vibrio species, including Vibrio parahaemolyticus and Vibrio alginolyticus, are often the cause of those stomach illnesses. Another type of Vibrio, Vibrio cholorae, causes the diarrheal disease cholera. Because Vibrio bacteria prefer warm water, they are typically found along the southeastern shores of the U.S., but are also found on the West Coast as well. As ocean temperatures warm, more cases have been found further north in recent years, Jutla said, including some in New York, Connecticut and Maryland. Who is at risk? Vibrio bacteria can creep in open wounds after spending time in salty or brackish water, said Dr. Norman Beatty, an infectious disease doctor at University of Florida Health. Most cases he's seen have been associated with spending extended time in the water, but he says that a brief exposure could be the 'only thing needed.' Visible signs of an infection can start in just a few hours, Beatty said, and include redness, swelling and 'bull's-eye' blisters. The site will also be painful. If infection progresses, it can get into the bloodstream and cause sepsis, which can be deadly. Symptoms of sepsis include fever, chills and dangerously low blood pressure, according to the CDC. People with liver cirrhosis, weakened immune systems and those over 65 are most at risk for infection, Jutla said. Vibrio vulnificus infections can be treated with antibiotics. How to prevent Vibrio infections Beatty said he recommends covering up any open wounds before going into the ocean. Even a waterproof Band-Aid does the job, he said. If people think they have an infection, they should seek care immediately, Beatty said. Delaying can be the difference between developing severe complications and a more mild infection. 'A delay in presenting to health care is truly the likely reason why most people have a more serious outcome than others,' he said. 'People who present within the same day with signs and symptoms of early infection, who receive antibiotics, can do well and can avoid a lot of these serious complications.' This article was originally published on Solve the daily Crossword
Daily Mail
5 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
Former Premier League boss, 49, rushed to hospital with 'serious inflammation' of his upper airways ahead of first training session with new club
Former Southampton boss Ivan Juric has been hospitalised after suffering 'serious inflammation' of his upper airways. The Croatian was set to take charge of his first training session as Atalanta boss after replacing Gian Piero Gasperini at La Dea last month. But Juric, whose miserable tenure at St Mary's last just 16 matches, contracted a bacterial infection which caused part of his airways to become seriously inflamed. An club statement read: 'Atalanta BC announces that coach Ivan Juric was hospitalized in recent days at the Bolognini Hospital in Seriate, in the ENT department headed by Dr. Davide Panciera, following a serious inflammation of the upper airways, complicated by a bacterial infection of the epiglottis, which was treated with intravenous antibiotics.' Thankfully, the 49-year-old is 'significantly improving', with the club adding that a 'protected discharge is expected in the next few days.' Juric, who has also managed Serie A sides Roma, Torino and Genoa, joined Atalanta on a two-year deal in June. The surprise appointment came just three months after he was sacked by Southampton following their relegation to the Championship. He managed just two wins - against fellow relegated side Ipswich and second-tier Swansea City - during his 16 matches in charge. When Southampton's relegation was confirmed in April he pointed the finger at the club's recruitment while stressing the need to 'understand the mistakes the club made in the last three or four years'. Upon returning to the Italian top flight, he said: '[It was) a negative year on a sporting level. [From a] human and knowledge level, it was fantastic. 'I think I feel much stronger than a year ago, because [at] Roma I saw great clubs, great players. I learned a lot. In Southampton, I appreciated a fabulous Premier League. People who are in the club, who know how to work. 'I saw really beautiful things. In the Premier League, I also remember the level of the players, [it's] very high. I think two negative experiences on the one hand, and on the other, [it was] very positive for me and my growth.'
CNN
12-07-2025
- Health
- CNN
Northern Arizona resident dies from plague
A resident of northern Arizona has died from pneumonic plague, health officials said Friday. Plague is rare to humans, with on average about seven cases reported annually in the U.S., most of them in the western states, according to federal health officials. The death in Coconino County, which includes Flagstaff, was the first recorded death from pneumonic plague since 2007, local officials said. Further details including the identify of the victim were not released. Plague is a bacterial infection known for killing tens of millions in 14th century Europe. Today, it's easily treated with antibiotics. The bubonic plague is the most common form of the bacterial infection, which spreads naturally among rodents like prairie dogs and rats. There are two other forms: septicemic plague that spreads through the whole body, and pneumonic plague that infects the lungs. Pneumonic plague is the most deadly and easiest to spread. The bacteria is transmitted through the bites of infected fleas that can spread it between rodents, pets and humans. People can also get plague through touching infected bodily fluids. Health experts recommend taking extra care when handling dead or sick animals. Most cases happen in rural areas of northern New Mexico, northern Arizona, southern Colorado, California, southern Oregon and far western Nevada, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The Independent
11-07-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Northern Arizona resident dies from plague
A resident of northern Arizona has died from pneumonic plague, health officials said Friday. Plague is rare to humans, with on average about seven cases reported annually in the U.S., most of them in the western states, according to federal health officials. The death in Coconino County, which includes Flagstaff, was the first recorded death from pneumonic plague since 2007, local officials said. Further details including the identify of the victim were not released. Plague is a bacterial infection known for killing tens of millions in 14th century Europe. Today, it's easily treated with antibiotics. The bubonic plague is the most common form of the bacterial infection, which spreads naturally among rodents like prairie dogs and rats. There are two other forms: septicemic plague that spreads through the whole body, and pneumonic plague that infects the lungs. Pneumonic plague is the most deadly and easiest to spread. The bacteria is transmitted through the bites of infected fleas that can spread it between rodents, pets and humans. People can also get plague through touching infected bodily fluids. Health experts recommend taking extra care when handling dead or sick animals. Most cases happen in rural areas of northern New Mexico, northern Arizona, southern Colorado, California, southern Oregon and far western Nevada, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Yahoo
11-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Northern Arizona resident dies from plague
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (AP) — A resident of northern Arizona has died from pneumonic plague, health officials said Friday. Plague is rare to humans, with on average about seven cases reported annually in the U.S., most of them in the western states, according to federal health officials. The death in Coconino County, which includes Flagstaff, was the first recorded death from pneumonic plague since 2007, local officials said. Further details including the identify of the victim were not released. Plague is a bacterial infection known for killing tens of millions in 14th century Europe. Today, it's easily treated with antibiotics. The bubonic plague is the most common form of the bacterial infection, which spreads naturally among rodents like prairie dogs and rats. There are two other forms: septicemic plague that spreads through the whole body, and pneumonic plague that infects the lungs. Pneumonic plague is the most deadly and easiest to spread. The bacteria is transmitted through the bites of infected fleas that can spread it between rodents, pets and humans. People can also get plague through touching infected bodily fluids. Health experts recommend taking extra care when handling dead or sick animals. Most cases happen in rural areas of northern New Mexico, northern Arizona, southern Colorado, California, southern Oregon and far western Nevada, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
