Florida Governor Ron DeSantis issued an urgent warning for citizens to avoid contact with standing water. All due to the floods caused by hurricanes Helene and Milton, which left devastation and serious problems transmitted by contaminated water.
The Florida Department of Health reported 70 cases of infected people and 11 deaths related to the bacteria Vibrio vulnificus, better known as ‘flesh-eating’ bacteria.
According to the report from health authorities, this bacteria is responsible for the death of one person in Charlotte County, two in Duval, one in Hernando, two in Palm Beach, one in Pasco, one in Pinellas, two in Seminole and one in Walton. Additionally, other counties such as Alachua, Brevard, Citrus, Escambia, Hillsborough, Lee, Santa Rosa, Sarasota, Volusia and Walton have also reported cases.
Vibrio vulnificus It is a bacteria that is abundant in warm waters, such as those in coastal areas of Florida, and that can enter the human body through open wounds, cuts or recent scratches.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warn that the microorganism can be lethal, and have indicated that “many infected people require intensive care or amputation of limbs” due to the rapid progression of the infection.
However, the infections They can not only occur due to contaminated water, but also due to the consumption of raw or poorly cooked fish, shellfish and oysters.
The main symptoms of the ‘Vibrio vulnificus’ bacteria include diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, fever, chills and low blood pressure.
Skin lesions may also appear, such as blisters, swelling, a feeling of heat, redness and discoloration in the affected area. If not treated immediately with specific antibiotics, the infection can progress rapidly, becoming fatal within hours or days.
Although anyone can contract this bacteria, those most at risk are those with liver disease, cancer, diabetes, HIV, thalassemia, as well as those taking immunosuppressants or medications that reduce stomach acid production.
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