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Warnings surround a flesh-eating bacteria found in the ocean that has already killed several people in Florida.
It is called Vibrio vulnificus, a strain of bacteria that thrives in warm saltwater.
“Since it is naturally found in warm marine waters, people with open wounds can be exposed to Vibrio vulnificus through direct contact with seawater,” the Florida Department of Health said in a statement.
The infection can also be transmitted through eating or handling contaminated oysters and other shellfish, according to the CDC.
At least 11 Floridians have contracted Vibrio vulnificus so far this year and two have died, according to the most recent state data. In 2013, 41 people were infected and 11 died. The proportion of skin and gastrointestinal infections is unclear.
Florida isn’t the only state to report Vibrio vulnificus infections. Alabama, Louisiana, Texas and Mississippi have also recorded cases, and a 2013 outbreak linked to contaminated shellfish sickened at least 104 people in 13 states, according to the CDC.
Most people who contract Vibrio vulnificus infection recover with the help of antibiotics, but severe skin infections may require surgery and amputation, according to the CDC. People with weakened immune systems are also at risk for blood infections, which are fatal about 50 percent of the time, the CDC notes.
The CDC recommends the following precautions to avoid Vibrio vulnificus infections:
Avoid exposing open wounds to warm saltwater, brackish water or to raw shellfish
Wear protective clothing when handling raw shellfish
Cook shellfish thoroughly and avoid food contamination with juices from raw seafood
Eat shellfish promptly after cooking and refrigerate leftovers
Agencies/Canadajournal
