This summer seems to be shaping up as the season of health scares. There is the widespread outbreak of cyclosporiasis that causes explosive diarrhea. Products containing jalapeno peppers that allegedly have salmonella are being recalled. And now there is an incidence of flesh-eating bacteria in Louisiana waters. This serious problem has taken the lives of five individuals there, according to information from the Louisiana Department of Health. (The bacterium is called Vibrio vulnificus. It thrives in "warm coastal waters.") There have been nine cases of this illness in that state this year as of August 5. All have been from "wound/seawater exposure."
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CBS News notes that two people died from this in Florida as well.
People With Certain Health Conditions Can Be More Vulnerable To Getting Very Sick
Some people are more vulnerable to getting very sick from exposure to this bacteria than others, per the LDH. That is due to certain medical conditions. Those include undergoing stomach surgery recently, having diabetes, HIV, liver disease, thalassemia, or cancer, lowering levels of stomach acid with medication, and immune-suppressing therapy.
This Year Is Apparently Worse Than Usual in Louisiana, Say Health Officials
In a press release, the LDH noted that "All nine cases reported this year were associated with wounds exposed to seawater, and all patients had underlying health conditions." The release also specified, "Some species, including Vibrio vulnificus, can cause severe and life-threatening infections. People with severe infections may require intensive care or limb amputation." Another sobering fact: One in five people who contract this illness from the bacterium succumbs, often quite quickly.
This year is shaping up to be worse than usual for this illness. Per the press release, "During the same period over the previous 10 years, Louisiana reported an average of seven cases and one death."
People Are Advised To Take Precautions
The LDH urges people to safeguard themselves from flesh-eating bacteria by taking some simple precautions. These include washing hands thoroughly if you handle raw shellfish, making sure that salt water or brackish water does not come in contact with open wounds, and "cooking seafood thoroughly," particularly if you are in a high-risk group.
Also, put cooked seafood at a safe distance from raw seafood and raw seafood juices. Furthermore, you should shield any open wounds with a waterproof bandage to prevent any contact with "brackish or salt water, raw seafood, or raw seafood juices."
