Flesh-Eating Bacteria Cases Surge In US After Hurricane Ian
NDTV
Florida health officials warned residents that people can get infected with Vibrio vulnificus when they eat raw shellfish, particularly oysters.
The cases of infections and deaths from a flesh-eating bacteria called "vibrio vulnificus" are rising in the southeasternmost US state of Florida after Hurricane Ian which caused the catastrophic flooding from the storm.
"Vibrio vulnificus is a bacterium that normally lives in warm seawater and is part of a group of vibrios that are called "halophilic" because they require salt.It is a naturally occurring bacteria in warm, brackish seawater," according to Florida Department of Health data.
As per the data, Florida has reported 65 cases of the dangerous Vibrio vulnificus bacteria this year, compared to just 37 cases before the storm that hit the state last month.
The majority of new instances of the deadly bacteria are found in Lee County, which is home to the communities of Fort Myers and Sanibel Island, which were devastated by Hurricane Ian.
