2023-09-06 20:23:23
The health authorities of the United States issued an alert about the presence of the bacteria Vibrio vulnificus o “flesh-eating bacteria”on the east coast of the country and the Gulf of Mexico.
According to what was reported by the Florida Department of Health, the “flesh-eating bacteria” has already claimed the lives of at least five people during 2023, which has generated concern due to its danger.
What is “flesh-eating bacteria”?
The Vibrio injurious is a bacterium found in warm, low-salt marine environments, such as estuaries.
It is considered especially active during the summer months, from May to October, when the waters warm up. Its main mode of transmission is through the ingestion of contaminated shellfish or through contact with infected marine waters.
Why is it so dangerous?
This bacterium is known for its aggressiveness and the damage it can cause to the human body. It can enter the bloodstream through open wounds or fresh cuts in the skin, making it a particularly dangerous threat to those with exposed wounds while in contact with polluted seawater.
Los Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warn that about 80,000 people become sick annually from Vibrio vulnificus in the United States. The alarming thing is that about one in five people with this infection die as a result of the disease, often within a day or two of becoming ill.
The people most vulnerable to this bacterium are those with weakened immune systems, such as the elderly or older individuals with impaired immunity. Vibrio vulnificus can cause serious and life-threatening infections in these risk groups.
Symptoms of meat-eating bacteria
The symptoms of Vibrio vulnificus infection can range from a mild skin infection to a more serious infection that affects the internal organs.
According to information from the CDC, the most common symptoms include:
watery (runny) diarrhea, often accompanied by stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting, and fever; bloodstream infections–fever, chills, dangerously low blood pressure; and blistering skin lesions; wound infections, which could spread to the rest of the body: fever, redness, pain, swelling, feeling hot, discoloration, and discharge (fluid coming out of the wound).
Prevention
To reduce the risk of contracting this infection, doctors advise taking precautions, such as avoiding the consumption of raw shellfish, especially oysters, as they are known to be a common vector for the bacteria.
It is also recommended to avoid bathing in the sea or brackish water if you have open wounds or recent cuts on your skin, as this can provide direct entry for the bacteria.
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