Frank Gluck, fgluck@news-press.com
Public health officials are again warning Floridians about a deadly type of bacteria found in seafood and the state’s warm coastal waters.
Vibrio vulnificus is a bacteria commonly found in sea water and estuarine waters, particularly in the summer months, and in raw oysters. People with weakened immune systems are particularly vulnerable.
One unidentified Lee County man, who was more than 65 years old, died this year after eating raw oysters while out of the state, said Diane Holm, spokeswoman for the Health Department in Lee. Another unidentified man got sick after spending time in the Gulf of Mexico and exposing an open wound to bacteria in the water, Holm said.
The cases happened between March and May. Both men had undisclosed health problems, Holm said. Generally speaking, Vibrio vulnificus is easily fixed with antibiotics, she said.
“This is totally treatable if a person gets in to see a doctor promptly,” Holm said.
Symptoms of an infection through an open wound usually start with swelling, pain and redness at the wound site, according to the Health Department. Symptoms of an infection from raw shellfish include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, fever, chills and the blistering skin lesions.
Lee County has seen six deaths from Vibrio vulnificus and six nonfatal illnesses since 2007. Last year, an unidentified Lee County man in his 50s died after exposing a wound to bacteria in the Gulf.
Collier County has not reported any cases this year. It had one case last year. That person was hospitalized but recovered, said Deb Millsap, spokeswoman for the Health Department’s Collier office.
Florida saw 41 cases of Vibrio vulnificus in 2013, and has seen six cases in 2014, according to the department.
People with liver disease, including hepatitis C and cirrhosis, are most at risk of getting sick from Vibrio vulnificus in raw oysters. Also at risk are those with hemochromatosis (iron overload), diabetes, cancer, stomach disorders and other health problems that weaken the immune system, according to the department
http://www.news-press.com/story/life/wellness/2014/06/20/florida-health-department-warns-deadly-bacteria/11022695/
Photo Credit
Bacillus and bacteria testing(Photo: KatarzynaBialasiewicz, Getty Images/iStockphoto)
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