<p>A rare but deadly 'flesh-eating' bacteria has killed at least 13 people in Florida as the southern US state recovers from the aftermath of two hurricanes.</p>

<p>Cases of Vibrio vulnificus are at a record high of 74 this year in the state, according to media reports citing local health authorities.</p>

<p>This is a sharp increase from 46 cases and 11 deaths for the whole of 2023.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/indias-kerala-reports-fourth-case-of-rare-brain-eating-amoeba-infection-death-toll-at-three-738465">Also read: India's Kerala reports fourth case of rare brain-eating amoeba infection; death toll at three</a></strong></p>

<p>The people of the state are still picking up the pieces after the devastation by Hurricane Helene in September, which was followed by Hurricane Milton in early October.</p>

<p>The storms led to massive flooding and mixing of freshwater with saltwater, which is ideal for the vibriobacteria to grow.</p>

<p><strong>Watch: &nbsp;Gravitas: 'Flesh-eating disease' spreading at record rate in Japan</strong></p>

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<h2><strong>What is Vibrio vulnificus?</strong></h2>

<p>Vibrio vulnificus is a bacteria living in warm, brackish seawater. It infects people through open wounds or when ingested. To this extent, some experts say that 'flesh-eating bacteria' may be a misnomer, as it cannot infect intact skin.</p>

<p>Heavy rainfall can help the bacteria population to grow, particularly in coastal areas.</p>

<p><strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/deaths-happen-within-48-hours-rare-flesh-eating-bacteria-spreads-in-japan-732080">Also read: 'Deaths happen within 48 hours': Rare flesh-eating bacteria spreads in Japan</a></strong><br />
<br />
Vibrio vulnificus infections are rare but can be fatal, with nearly 20 per cent of those infected dying from it.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Once infected, Vibrio vulnificus can prompt the breakdown of skin and soft tissue.</p>

<p>Immuno-compromised people, like the elderly and those suffering from liver diseases, are at greater risk of infection.</p>

<p>As per data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 150 to 200 Vibrio vulnificus cases are reported in the US each year.</p>

<h2><strong>Vibrio vultificus bacteria symptoms</strong></h2>

<p>Fever, redness, and severe tissue damage, which may need amputation to prevent further spread, are among the symptoms of Vibrio vulnificus.</p>

<p>It can also cause watery diarrhoea with stomach cramping, nausea and vomiting.</p>

<p>Chills, low blood pressure and blistering skin lesions are other symptoms.</p>

<h2><strong>Treatment for&nbsp;Vibrio vulnificus </strong></h2>

<p>Those exposed to floodwaters and showing these symptoms should seek medical help&nbsp;immediately.</p>

<p>Treatment includes antibiotics.</p>

<p>In some rare cases, limb amputation may be required to prevent further damage to infected tissue.</p>

<h2><strong>How to prevent vibrio-bacteria&nbsp;infection</strong></h2>

<p>Authorities have asked people to avoid exposure of skin to floodwaters.<br />
<br />
Wounds and open cuts should be covered, and exposed skin should be washed thoroughly.</p>

<p>"While floodwaters are present, there is an increased risk of Vibrio infections, such as Vibrio vulnificus, which can be life-threatening," the Florida Health Department said in a release.<br />
<br />
<em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


A rare but deadly 'flesh-eating' bacteria has killed at least 13 people in Florida as the southern US state recovers from the aftermath of two hurricanes. Cases of Vibrio vulnificus are at a record high of 74 this year in the state, according to media reports citing local health authorities.

A rare but deadly 'flesh-eating' bacteria has killed at least 13 people in Florida as the southern US state recovers from the aftermath of two hurricanes. Cases of Vibrio vulnificus are at a record high of 74 this year in the state, according to media reports citing local health authorities. This is a sharp increase from 46 cases and 11 deaths for the whole of 2023. Also read: India's Kerala reports fourth case of rare brain-eating amoeba infection; death toll at three The people of the state are still picking up the pieces after the devastation by Hurricane Helene in September, which was followed by Hurricane Milton in early October. The storms led to massive flooding and mixing of freshwater with saltwater, which is ideal for the vibriobacteria to grow. Watch: Gravitas: 'Flesh-eating disease' spreading at record rate in Japan × What is Vibrio vulnificus? Vibrio vulnificus is a bacteria living in warm, brackish seawater. It infects people through open wounds or when ingested. To this extent, some experts say that 'flesh-eating bacteria' may be a misnomer, as it cannot infect intact skin. Heavy rainfall can help the bacteria population to grow, particularly in coastal areas. Also read: 'Deaths happen within 48 hours': Rare flesh-eating bacteria spreads in Japan Vibrio vulnificus infections are rare but can be fatal, with nearly 20 per cent of those infected dying from it. Once infected, Vibrio vulnificus can prompt the breakdown of skin and soft tissue. Immuno-compromised people, like the elderly and those suffering from liver diseases, are at greater risk of infection. As per data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 150 to 200 Vibrio vulnificus cases are reported in the US each year. Vibrio vultificus bacteria symptoms Fever, redness, and severe tissue damage, which may need amputation to prevent further spread, are among the symptoms of Vibrio vulnificus. It can also cause watery diarrhoea with stomach cramping, nausea and vomiting. Chills, low blood pressure and blistering skin lesions are other symptoms. Treatment for Vibrio vulnificus Those exposed to floodwaters and showing these symptoms should seek medical help immediately. Treatment includes antibiotics. In some rare cases, limb amputation may be required to prevent further damage to infected tissue. How to prevent vibrio-bacteria infection Authorities have asked people to avoid exposure of skin to floodwaters. Wounds and open cuts should be covered, and exposed skin should be washed thoroughly. "While floodwaters are present, there is an increased risk of Vibrio infections, such as Vibrio vulnificus, which can be life-threatening," the Florida Health Department said in a release. (With inputs from agencies)

'Flesh-eating' bacteria kills 13 in Hurricane-hit Florida, cases at record: What is vibrio vulnificus?

<p>An Australian woman has become the world's first documented person to survive a pathogen which usually causes the deadly “blackleg” disease in sheep and cattle.<br />
<br />
The doctors treating the woman published the unique case this week in the Medical Journal of Australia which gave details of the successful treatment of the pathogen after the only two similar cases in humans to have ever occurred – one in Japan and the other in the United States – had turned fatal.<br />
<br />
The lead author of the article Dr Ria Ko was working as an infectious diseases advanced trainee at Sydney's Prince of Wales Hospital when the 48-year-old woman was admitted last year with multi-organ failure, which included kidneys and liver, and very low blood pressure.<br />
<br />
The hospital immediately admitted the woman to intensive care. She had a fever, diarrhoea, abdominal pain and showed signs of shock.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/biden-to-kickstart-usd-100-million-drive-to-fight-drug-resistant-bacteria-report-640216">Biden to kickstart USD 100 million drive to fight drug-resistant bacteria: Report</a></p>

<p>After performing blood culture testing, Ko discovered that a bacterium in the blood of a patient that she had never heard of before and was called Clostridium chauvoei was the cause of the infection.<br />
<br />
After looking into the exposure history of the patient, Ko said, “We thought that the most likely point of entry for this bug would be from contaminated soil, with Clostridium chauvoei entering her bloodstream through these scratches.”<br />
<br />
She added that although very little was mentioned about how to treat humans infected with the bacteria, in the veterinary world it was known to be the leading cause of blackleg in cattle.</p>

<h2><strong>Bacteria enters into bloodstream and turns 'flesh-eating'</strong></h2>

<p>She said that in animals when infected soil gets into the bloodstream through cuts, it quickly leads to myonecrosis, the death of the muscle in the legs.<br />
<br />
“Sheep and cattle can’t complain or communicate they have this pain so we read in the literature that the most common presenting symptom of blackleg is death, because farmers find this animal dead and then find out they have blackleg,” Ko said.<br />
<br />
She stated that in the woman, the pathogen had produced toxins which cause necrotising enterocolitis and because of this sections of the bowel tissue die and can be called “flesh-eating”.</p>

<p><strong>WATCH |&nbsp;Study: Antibiotics wipe out gut microbiomes, damage immune system</strong></p>

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<p>Cattle veterinary specialist at the University of Melbourne Prof David Beggs said, “What happens is typically the young calves look a bit lame and when you feel the leg where they’re lame, it feels like there’s a bubble wrap in there because the bacteria eat away at the flesh and cause gas to be produced.”<br />
<br />
“And the dead tissue that’s been macerated by the bacteria gets into the bloodstream and causes blood poisoning. So you end up firstly with gangrene, which is just the tissue dying, and the gas getting there and then, secondly, with blood poisoning. Same in people,” he added.</p>

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An Australian woman has become the world's first documented person to survive a pathogen which usually causes the deadly “blackleg” disease in sheep and cattle. The doctors treating the woman published the unique case this week in the Medical Journal of Australia which gave details of the successful treatment of the pathogen after the only two similar cases in humans to have ever occurred – one in Japan and the other in the United States – had turned fatal.

An Australian woman has become the world's first documented person to survive a pathogen which usually causes the deadly “blackleg” disease in sheep and cattle. The doctors treating the woman published the unique case this week in the Medical Journal of Australia which gave details of the successful treatment of the pathogen after the only two similar cases in humans to have ever occurred – one in Japan and the other in the United States – had turned fatal. The lead author of the article Dr Ria Ko was working as an infectious diseases advanced trainee at Sydney's Prince of Wales Hospital when the 48-year-old woman was admitted last year with multi-organ failure, which included kidneys and liver, and very low blood pressure. The hospital immediately admitted the woman to intensive care. She had a fever, diarrhoea, abdominal pain and showed signs of shock. ALSO READ | Biden to kickstart USD 100 million drive to fight drug-resistant bacteria: Report After performing blood culture testing, Ko discovered that a bacterium in the blood of a patient that she had never heard of before and was called Clostridium chauvoei was the cause of the infection. After looking into the exposure history of the patient, Ko said, “We thought that the most likely point of entry for this bug would be from contaminated soil, with Clostridium chauvoei entering her bloodstream through these scratches.” She added that although very little was mentioned about how to treat humans infected with the bacteria, in the veterinary world it was known to be the leading cause of blackleg in cattle. Bacteria enters into bloodstream and turns 'flesh-eating' She said that in animals when infected soil gets into the bloodstream through cuts, it quickly leads to myonecrosis, the death of the muscle in the legs. “Sheep and cattle can’t complain or communicate they have this pain so we read in the literature that the most common presenting symptom of blackleg is death, because farmers find this animal dead and then find out they have blackleg,” Ko said. She stated that in the woman, the pathogen had produced toxins which cause necrotising enterocolitis and because of this sections of the bowel tissue die and can be called “flesh-eating”. WATCH | Study: Antibiotics wipe out gut microbiomes, damage immune system Cattle veterinary specialist at the University of Melbourne Prof David Beggs said, “What happens is typically the young calves look a bit lame and when you feel the leg where they’re lame, it feels like there’s a bubble wrap in there because the bacteria eat away at the flesh and cause gas to be produced.” “And the dead tissue that’s been macerated by the bacteria gets into the bloodstream and causes blood poisoning. So you end up firstly with gangrene, which is just the tissue dying, and the gas getting there and then, secondly, with blood poisoning. Same in people,” he added. You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Australian woman becomes world's first person to survive deadly flesh-eating bacteria

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'Flesh-eating' bacteria kills 13 in Hurricane-hit Florida, cases at record: What is vibrio vulnificus?

Australian woman becomes world's first person to survive deadly flesh-eating bacteria