Flesh-eating bacteria infections increase in Florida after Hurricane Ian

The aftermath of Hurricane Ian has brought an summation successful reported infections of a uncommon flesh-eating bacteria successful Florida.

There were 65 cases of Vibrio vulnificus and 11 deaths successful the authorities truthful acold this twelvemonth arsenic of Friday, according to the Florida Department of Health. It was up from 34 cases and 10 deaths reported successful 2021.

Many of the infections - often referred to arsenic a "flesh-eating" bacterial corruption - were successful Lee County, wherever Ian made landfall arsenic a Category 4 hurricane connected 28 September.

All but 2 of the 29 infections and 4 deaths recorded successful Lee County were diagnosed aft the hurricane, CNN reported.

Collier County reported 3 cases considered storm-related.

"[The Florida Department of Health successful Lee County] is observing an abnormal summation successful cases of Vibrio vulnificus infections arsenic a effect of vulnerability to the floodwaters and lasting waters pursuing Hurricane Ian," a spokesperson told the broadcaster.

"Since 29 September 2022, 26 cases of Vibrio vulnificus associated with Hurricane Ian person been reported to DOH-Lee. All 26 cases had coiled infectious with vulnerability to Hurricane Ian floodwaters that occurred from the storm-surge entering their homes oregon during post-storm clean-up. There person been six deaths among Lee County residents."

The Florida Department of Health said Vibrio vulnificus usually lives successful lukewarm brackish seawater and infections are rare.

"Water and wounds bash not mix," it advises. "Do not participate the h2o if you person caller cuts oregon scrapes."

In a information expanse connected floodwater safety, it said radical with unfastened cuts and wounds should debar tegument interaction with floodwaters.

People tin besides go infected with Vibrio vulnificus erstwhile they devour earthy shellfish, peculiarly oysters.

The corruption tin origin vomiting, diarrhoea and abdominal pain. It tin besides origin an corruption of the tegument erstwhile unfastened wounds are exposed to lukewarm seawater, which could pb to tegument breakdown and ulcers. It tin besides invade the bloodstream and origin terrible and life-threatening unwellness with symptoms similar fever, chills, decreased humor unit and blistering tegument lesions.