Deadly ‘Flesh-eating bacteria’ cases rise in USA

Deadly bacterial infection cases are on the rise and killed several people across the world.

According to Fox13 news, Florida, deadly pathogenic bacterial cases are rising across United States (U.S.).

Centre of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Florida Department of Health (FDOH), shows increase in cases of Vibrio Vulnificus often known as "Flesh-eating bacteria".

FDOH reported more than a dozen bacteria cases and four confirmed deaths in Florida indicating that the situation may get alarming.

Anoxious outbreak of flesh-eating bacteria cases was observed in Japan previously where the number of infected people reached to 1000 causing more than 70 deaths as reported by the National Institute of Infectious Diseases (NIID).

The number of cases in Japan became fulminant right after the disease outbreak causing Necrosis (body-tissue damage) and high fatality rate.

About Vibrio Vulnificus

According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC):

• The deadly bacteria are naturally found in warm coastal waters
• There exist more than 100 species of Vibrio Vulnificus
• People can get infected with “Vibriosis” after swallowing bacteria or getting it penetrated through a wound.
• Vibrio commonly known as “Flesh-eating bacteria” can be seriously infectious and sometime fatal

How Vibrio Vulnificus cause infection

CDC reports that Vibrio Vulnificus can be found in warm coastal areas.

These harmful bacteria can easily spread among people when exposed to contaminated seawater, while swimming or by consuming raw or undercooked seafood like shellfish or oysters.

However, If the bacteria enter the body through a wound, it can cause Streptococcal Toxic Shock Syndrome (STSS), which is very harmful, and it can cause fulminant infections leading to death.

Furthermore, the "flesh-eating bacterium" in infected patients can cause rapid necrosis (body tissue damage) and multiple organ failure.

Additionally, NIID indicates that the estimated fatality rate among infected people is 30 %, which is considered extremely high.

Common symptoms

• Watery diarrhea
• Abdominal Cramps
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Fever
• Mild gastrointestinal infections

Other symptoms may include redness and swelling around the infected area, warm skin, pain and sometimes pus or discharge around the wound.

Prevention and safety measures

CDC suggests that although Vibrio infections are rare, there are few precautionary steps which may keep people safe from the deadly flesh-eating bacteria.

• Avoid contact with seawater or brackish water if you have an open wound or broken skin (which includes scrapes, recent surgical incisions, or new tattoos and piercings).
• Cover wounds with waterproof bandages if you have to come into contact with water.
• Wear protective shoes to avoid cuts on your feet in the water
• Seek medical attention if you have signs of a wound infection, especially after exposure to warm coastal water.
• Cook all shellfish to a safe internal temperature (145 degrees Fahrenheit) before consumption.
• Wash hands before and after handling raw shellfish or oysters.