US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently issued a national health advisory, urging healthcare professionals to remain vigilant for cases of Vibrio vulnificus, a bacteria known for causing flesh-eating infections.
In the months of July and August, when the United States experienced extensive heatwaves and higher-than-usual coastal sea surface temperatures, Connecticut, New York, and North Carolina reported an alarming increase in severe and fatal V. vulnificus infections. At least five people lost their lives in these states due to these flesh-eating infections. These bacteria are naturally found in coastal waters and tend to thrive during the warmer months when ocean temperatures reach their peak.
Vibrio Vulnificus
Although most cases of infections arise from the consumption of raw or undercooked seafood, it's also possible for people to contract an infection when swimming in the ocean with an open wound, including recent piercings, tattoos, or even minor cuts or scrapes.
People may also come into contact with the bacteria during natural disasters such as hurricanes, floods, and storm surges, which can push coastal waters inland. For instance, in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian last year, health authorities in Florida documented 38 cases of vibriosis and 11 associated fatalities linked to the storm.
How to treat
When dealing with skin infections, medical professionals will collect samples from the affected region to ascertain whether Vibrio vulnificus is the underlying cause. They will proceed to drain any abscesses and provide appropriate treatment for the infected area. In cases of necrotizing fasciitis, surgical intervention may become necessary, potentially involving limb amputation to prevent the infection from further dissemination.
According to the CDC, people who suspect they may be infected should seek prompt medical attention as it enhances their likelihood of surviving the infection. This particular bacterium has exhibited an increasing level of resistance to antimicrobial agents, with approximately half of all infections no longer yielding to antibiotic treatment.
The most effective method to prevent a Vibrio infection is by minimizing contact with the bacteria. Ensure that seafood is thoroughly cooked, steer clear of consuming raw or undercooked oysters and other shellfish, and remember to wash your hands after handling them in their raw state.
According to the CDC's recommendations, people with skin wounds should refrain from swimming in the ocean and avoid brackish water. Alternatively, if you must enter such waters, it is advisable to cover the wound with waterproof bandages.
About the bacteria
Vibrio vulnificus is a bacterium notorious for its potential to induce a condition often referred to as a "flesh-devouring infection." Out of the 150 to 200 annual cases of Vibrio vulnificus infections reported to the CDC, approximately one out of every five individuals succumbs to the infection, with fatalities occurring in some cases within just one or two days of onset. This bacterial infection, known as necrotizing fasciitis, systematically erodes the skin, muscles, nerves, adipose tissue, and blood vessels surrounding an afflicted wound.
