CNN
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Florida has seen a latest improve in confirmed circumstances of flesh-eating micro organism following the devastating hurricanes Helene and Milton, in response to state well being division knowledge.
The Tampa Bay-area counties of Hillsborough and Pinellas – which had been inundated by torrential rain and a devastating storm surge – noticed the biggest improve of the micro organism Vibrio vulnificus generally present in heat coastal waters, however focus ranges can rise with heavy rain or flooding. Earlier than Hurricane Helene made landfall on September 26, there have been no reported circumstances in Pinellas County and one in Hillsborough County. Now, Pinellas has 13 confirmed circumstances, and there are seven in Hillsborough.
Florida had six confirmed circumstances of Vibrio vulnificus in September earlier than Hurricane Helene’s arrival however the quantity rose to 24 by the tip of the month. There have been 38 confirmed circumstances for the reason that hurricanes struck, bringing the entire to 76 this yr.
Folks can develop into contaminated by Vibrio vulnificus by ingesting or exposing open wounds to contaminated water or by consuming improperly cooked seafood. These with compromised immune programs, liver illness or and open wounds are at larger threat of Vibrio vulnificus an infection.
Of the 150 to 200 Vibrio vulnificus circumstances reported to the US Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention yearly, about one in 5 individuals die from the an infection, generally inside one or two days of getting sick.
The Florida Division of Well being issued a statement final week, forward of Milton’s landfall, urging residents to stay vigilant and keep away from floodwaters the place Vibrio micro organism can multiply quickly.
The company recommends individuals avoid swimming or wading in floodwaters. If somebody should come into contact with probably contaminated water, they need to cowl any wounds with a water-proof bandage and wash completely afterward.
It isn’t the primary time a hurricane brought about a spike in Vibrio vulnificus infections in Florida. Within the aftermath of Hurricane Ian in 2022, there have been 29 new circumstances, bringing the state’s whole to 65 in October, CNN previously reported.