Tampa’s NBC affiliate reports:
Five people are confirmed dead in the Tampa Bay area due to a rare, flesh-eating bacteria in the waters. According to Florida Health, Vibrio vulnificus is a bacterium that naturally occurs in warm, brackish seawater and requires salt. There are two confirmed deaths in Hillsborough County, one in Sarasota County, one in Polk County, and one in Pasco County. Health officials warn citizens to not enter the water if they have fresh cuts or scrapes, as the bacteria can enter the bloodstream rather quickly. Bloodstream infections are fatal 50 percent of the time.
Read the full article.
Per the linked report, there have been 25 confirmed cases so far, including the fatalities. Florida’s Lee County saw a similar fatal breakout last year related to Hurricane Ian’s floodwaters. In New York’s Long Island, there have been four cases and three fatalities since last month.
Florida health officials issue warning about flesh-eating bacteria after 2 dozen cases confirmed https://t.co/Gi9lLh62yj
— WESH 2 News (@WESH) August 21, 2023
