This summer, the Northeast United States witnessed a significant health concern with the presence of Vibrio vulnificus, a perilous bacteria found in raw shellfish or seawater. Officials have confirmed that this rare bacterium has claimed the lives of three individuals, including a Long Island resident and two individuals from Connecticut.
New York Governor, Kathy Hochul, expressed her concerns through a news release, stating, “While rare, the Vibrio bacteria has unfortunately made it to this region and can be extraordinarily dangerous.” Investigations are ongoing to ascertain if the Long Island victim contracted the bacteria from New York waters.
Connecticut’s Department of Public Health disclosed that of the three state residents infected, all were between 60 and 80 years of age, with two fatalities occurring in July. However, this isn’t an isolated occurrence restricted to the Northeast. Last month, the Associated Press reported that three North Carolina residents succumbed to the bacteria, which thrives naturally in warm seawater and brackish environments.
Data suggests that the US sees around 100 reported cases of Vibrio annually. However, the real count remains ambiguous since many with mild symptoms go untested. The Journal of the American Medical Association asserts that a staggering one-third of these cases turn fatal.
Governor Hochul has urged the public to remain cautious, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding open wounds from seawater, particularly for those with weakened immune systems. Additionally, she advised against the consumption of raw or undercooked shellfish that could harbor the bacteria.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) further recommends:
– Handwashing post-handling raw shellfish.
– Ensuring cooked shellfish remains uncontaminated by raw variants and their juices.
– Thoroughly clean wounds and cuts exposed to seawater, raw seafood, or their juices.
CDC also stresses the importance of notifying medical professionals about any skin infections developed after coming in contact with salt or brackish water or raw seafood.
The CDC notes that symptoms might vary based on the type of infection. Common symptoms entail diarrhea, often accompanied by cramps, nausea, vomiting, and fever.
Bloodstream infections can lead to fever, chills, low blood pressure, and blistering skin lesions. As for wound infections, potential signs include fever, redness, pain, swelling, warmth, discoloration, and fluid discharge.
Diagnosis ensues when Vibrio bacteria are detected in a person’s wound, blood, or stool. Although treatable with antibiotics, severe cases might necessitate amputations to eradicate dead or infected tissue, as the CDC’s website highlights.
