At least eight people in Florida have die this year so far as a result of an transmission triggered by the bacterium speciesVibrio vulnificus , according to health officials . This is the most deaths reported in the DoS since 2018 , when nine people died of the infection .
As of early September , theFlorida Department of Healthhas report 20 cases of the infection . Florida has witness 125 deaths induce byV. vulnificussince 2008 , the latest was confirmed in Leon County on Friday , according toOutbreak News Today .
The waterborne bacterium species is able to causenecrotizing fasciitis , a rapidly unfold but thankfully rarified “ physical body - eating ” infection that results in the demise of tissues . Necrotizing fasciitis can then trigger off sepsis – the immune system ’s potentially fatal reaction to infection , which can quickly run to weave damage , organ loser , and death .
V. vulnificusis a relative of cholera – both are member of theVibriogenus , known to causegastrointestinal infectionsoften associated with undercookedseafood . V. vulnificusis naturally found in warm marine waters and can also lead to a life - threatening infection if it comes into contact with receptive wounding . lesion infections due to the bacteria arefatal in one in fivepeople , and should the transmission spread to the bloodstream , fatality jumps to around 50 percentage , accord to Florida Health .
The CDC recommends avoiding brine or brackish water if you have a wound , for example from late surgery , pierce , ortattoo . Alternatively , they suggest covering wounds with a rainproof bandage if contact with potentially contaminated water is inevitable . Covering of lesion is also counsel if you are handling raw or undercooked seafood and its juices . If contact occurs , wound should be washed soundly with soap and water .
Symptoms to look out for include fever , chills , hazardously miserable rip press , and blistering skin lesions . Other sign of combat injury transmission are redness , pain , gibbousness , warmheartedness , stain , and discharge .
