Health
Flesh-Eating Infections Rising On The East Coast, Scientists Warn — Global Warming Is Making It Worse
Topline
There was a uptick in the number of infections with deadly flesh-eating bacteria along the East Coast of the United States last summer, according to new data released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a rare problem that experts warn could become more common as warming global temperatures help the pathogen thrive and expand its range into new areas.
A closed beach sign posted in Honolulu, Hawaii.
Key Facts
Eleven people in New York (2), Connecticut (2) and North Carolina (7) acquired severe infections with ocean-dwelling bacteria capable of causing “flesh-eating” disease in July and August, according to CDC data.
Infections are uncommon—typically striking older people or those with underlying medical conditions—but are serious and often fatal when they do occur, with four of the patients experiencing septic shock and five dying, the report said (three of those experiencing septic shock also died).
All of the patients dying from the infection had at least one underlying medical condition, the scientists said.
Cases in those two months exceeded severe infections reported the previous year, 2022, when neither New York nor Connecticut reported cases and North Carolina reported 10.
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The researchers, who come from the CDC and state health departments, said the summer infections were noteworthy for both their severity and for coinciding with record-breaking heat waves in the U.S.
The bacteria, Vibrio vulnificus, thrive in warmer waters and are likely to proliferate and expand up the East Coast as global warming drives up ocean temperatures, the scientists warned.
How Do You Avoid Infections With Flesh-Eating Bacteria?
V. vulnificus live in moderately salty or brackish waters like estuaries and coastal waters and thrive in warm conditions. The bacteria can infect people through contaminated seafood or through wounds, bites and cuts coming into contact with seawater. The researchers said a number of patients likely acquired the infection from eating raw oysters, through water, with several probably acquiring it through a cut when handling raw seafood. People wanting to avoid infections with the bacteria should take steps to stop any wounds coming into contact with brackish water, salt water or raw seafood. Contact with this water could happen during everyday activities like swimming, fishing or walking on the beach, the CDC said, as well as during and after storm surges, hurricanes and coastal flooding, which are associated with an uptick in infections. Wounds, including new piercings or tattoos, could be covered with a waterproof bandage, the CDC advises, and should be washed thoroughly with soap and water after any contact.
Key Background
There are around 150-200 V. vulnificus infections reported in the U.S. every year. Most cases, which are considerably greater in number than the severe cases considered in this study, are reported by Gulf Coast states, where waters are warmer. Infections have crept upwards along the East Coast and risen eightfold in recent decades. This is largely on account of warming temperatures making the water more hospitable. V. vulnificus comes from the same family of bacteria as the pathogen responsible for cholera. Though rare, infections can be life-threatening and are capable of causing necrotizing fasciitis, the medical term for a “flesh-eating” infection. The infections kill as many as one in five people, sometimes within just a day or two of them falling sick. Mild infections tend to include symptoms like diarrhea, chills, stomach cramps and vomiting, with skin infections often leading to blisters, swelling and tissue destruction. Severe cases can lead to blood stream infection or septicemia and can be fatal. If caught quickly—illness can come on rapidly—the bacteria can be treated with antibiotics, though some patients may need to have surgery to remove infected tissue or amputate arms or legs.
Big Number
80,000. That’s how many illnesses are reported in the U.S. each year from infections with Vibrio bacteria. There are around a dozen species in this group known to cause illness, vibriosis, in humans. V. vulnificus makes up a very small fraction of these infections, though it is noted for its life-threatening severity.
Further Reading
Flesh-Eating Bacteria Are Migrating Up The East Coast As Climate Change Warms Sea, Scientists Say (Forbes)
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Sources 2/ https://www.forbes.com/sites/roberthart/2024/02/02/flesh-eating-infections-rising-on-the-east-coast-scientists-warn—global-warming-is-making-it-worse/ The mention sources can contact us to remove/changing this article |
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