Planning some fun vacation time in the sun and surf where delicious seafood abounds? Be careful. A deadly bacteria has caused infection in seven and death for two in 2015 in Florida. The potentially flesh eating bacteria thrives in warm seawater and is primarily a problem with people eat food, such as raw shellfish, contaminated with Vibrio Vulnificus. The bacteria can also infect people enjoying warm saltwater with open wounds and this is where the flesh eating property comes in with the forming of skin ulcers and breakdown.
People with compromised immune systems are more vulnerable than others to the warm saltwater bacteria. While many people will just experience some milder symptoms of vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain, others might experience such symptoms in a more severe form, as well as fever, chills, blistering skin lesions, septic shock, need for amputations, and even death.
So how can one be proactive in protection against the Vibrio Vulnificus bacteria while enjoying the beach? It is important to avoid entering warm sea water with fresh wounds, cuts, or scrapes. Footwear while at the beach can guard against cuts by rocks and seashells. When eating shellfish, clams, mussels, and oysters, be sure to cook them properly and stay away from raw shellfish.
Be safe out there this summer and come back for more information by Inserra & Kelley Law Offices to enjoy life while staying safe and healthy.