Tampa, Florida – The “flesh-eating bacteria” known as Vibrio vulnificus has been responsible for the deaths of five individuals in Florida this year, according to the state’s health department. This infection has also claimed the lives of at least a dozen people across the United States in 2023. Additionally, cases of the bacteria have been reported in the Northeast, with New York Governor Kathy Hochul confirming its presence in a Long Island resident who passed away. Similarly, Connecticut experienced three infections in July, resulting in the deaths of two patients aged between 60 and 80, as reported by the state’s Department of Public Health.
Vibrio vulnificus infection is commonly found in raw or undercooked seafood, saltwater, and brackish water, and has been responsible for two fatalities in Hillsborough County, Tampa, since January, according to the Florida Department of Health. Moreover, there have been reported deaths in surrounding Pasco, Polk, and Sarasota counties due to the same cause. So far, the state of Florida has recorded a total of 26 cases of this infection in the current year.
The bacteria thrives in warm waters, especially in areas where river and ocean waters converge, and can infiltrate the body through cuts, scrapes, wounds, or even the consumption of raw seafood. Although commonly referred to as the “flesh-eating bacteria”, it should be noted that the bacteria does not consume tissue despite causing fatal harm. It requires a pre-existing breach in the skin to enter the body and cannot permeate intact skin. If the bacteria enters through a cut or wound, it can lead to necrotizing fasciitis, a condition in which the tissue surrounding the infection site perishes.
Due to climate change and warming ocean waters, Vibrio vulnificus is moving northward, as revealed by numerous studies. The acceleration in bacterial reproduction is attributed to higher water temperatures, which has led to an eightfold increase in infections between 1988 and 2018 in the U.S., according to a study published in the Nature Portfolio journal. As a consequence, the bacteria’s geographic reach is expanding northward along the East Coast, progressing at a pace of approximately 30 miles annually.
In conclusion, the rise of Vibrio vulnificus infections, and subsequent fatalities, highlights the urgent need for increased awareness and understanding of the dangers associated with this deadly pathogen. With the impact of climate change exacerbating the spread of this bacteria, it is imperative for officials and health organizations to develop strategies to mitigate the risks and protect public health.