Florida has the most flesh-eating bacteria cases nationwide after Louisiana

MIAMI — The Florida Department of Health reported that a flesh-eating bacteria that lives in warm seawater is responsible for 16 infections in 12 counties in Florida.

The bacteria, known as Vibrio vulnificusis, has been the cause of five deaths, including one in Broward County, so far this year in Florida, according to the latest data released by DOH.

The other deaths in Florida were in St. Johns, Hillsborough, and Bay counties. The symptoms include watery diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting, fever, and chills.

To avoid infections, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warned against eating raw seafood and being near saltwater or brackish water, where rivers meet the ocean, with open wounds.

The cases nationwide add up to at least 60. Florida has the second most cases after Louisiana where there have been 17. There were 7 in North Carolina, 6 in Virginia, 5 in Texas, 3 in Alabama, and 2 in Georgia. The other cases were Mississippi, South Carolina, Massachusetts, and Arizona.

Steps to prevent infection

• Do not let raw seafood, its drippings, or its juices contaminate other foods.
• Always wash your hands with soap and water after handling raw shellfish.
• If you are at increased risk for infection, wear protective gloves when handling raw seafood.
• Protect wounds from coastal water. Open wounds include recent cuts and scrapes, recent surgery sites, and recent piercings and tattoos.
• Cover your wound with a waterproof bandage if it could come into contact with coastal waters or raw seafood, its drippings, or its juices.
• This contact can happen during everyday activities, such as swimming, fishing, or walking on the beach.
• It could happen when a hurricane or storm surge causes flooding.

Source: CDC

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