Tennesseans planning on squeezing in a last-minute vacation to Florida before the start of school should be aware of a rare “flesh-eating” bacteria.
Florida health officials announced on July 11 that four people had died and at least seven others were made sick due to Vibrio vulnificus, a rare but deadly flesh-eating bacteria that seems to be plentiful in the warm climate in Florida.
The deaths occurred in four different counties across the state.
It is rare, with an average of 150 to 200 cases reported each year to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. And as hurricane season continues to bear down on Florida, the number of infections could pick up as seawater is brought to the shores.
Here’s what you need to know.
Where is Vibrio vulnificus or the flesh-eating bacteria found?
The bacteria is found in saltwater, brackish water and inside contaminated raw or undercooked seafood. It also lives naturally in coastal waters year-round.
Vibrio vulnificus requires saltwater to live and spread, though it can thrive in brackish water.
For the most part, the bacterial infections usually occur in Gulf Coast states, but in recent years, reports of Vibrio vulnificus have started to be seen further North as climate change fuels warmer oceans.
Where case of flesh-eating bacteria have been found in Florida:
In Florida, confirmed cases of Vibrio vulnificus were found in 10 counties, including four in the Panhandle — a frequent vacation destination for Nashville residents. They are:
How can a person become infected with a flesh-eating bacterium?
Infection can occur when people swallow contaminated water or if it gets into an open wound. People can also become infected due to contaminated raw or undercooked seafood, especially shellfish such as oysters.
Why is Vibrio vulnificus called a flesh-eating bacteria?
Healthy individuals usually experience only mild symptoms, but it can start eating away at flesh if it gets into an open wound and can cause necrotizing fasciitis. This causes the flesh around the wound to die. Some cases of exposure can turn deadly if this happens or it enters the bloodstream.
“Vibrio vulnificus bloodstream infections are fatal about 50 percent of the time,” according to the Florida Department of Health.
According to the CDC, about one in five people die from the infection, sometimes within one to two days of becoming ill. Others could require surgery or even amputation after exposure.
What are the symptoms of Vibrio vulnificus?
People who are exposed to it could experience diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting and fever, according to the CDC.
If an open wound is exposed to Vibrio vulnificus, it can cause discoloration, swelling, skin breakdown and ulcers.
How do I avoid exposure to flesh-eating bacteria?
Here’s what the CDC and Florida Department of Health recommend:
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Stay out of saltwater and brackish water if you have an open wound or cut. If you get a cut while you are in the water, leave the water immediately.
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If your open wounds and cuts could come in contact with salt water, brackish water or raw or undercooked seafood, cover them with a waterproof bandage.
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Cook shellfish (oysters, clams, mussels) thoroughly.
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Avoid cross-contamination of cooked seafood and other foods with raw seafood and juices from raw seafood.
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Always wash your hands with soap and water after handling raw shellfish.
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Seek medical attention right away for infected wounds.
Contributing: USA TODAY Network
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Florida has a rare flesh-eating bacteria. Which counties to avoid
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