Number Of Seawater Bacteria Infections Rises In C. Florida
ST. PETERSBURG (CBSMiami/AP) — A potentially deadly seawater bacteria has now infected 31 people in Florida and 10 of those people have died, according to health department officials.
Experts said the vast majority of people aren't at risk of contracting Vibrio vulnificus, which lives in warm salt water. It is in the same family as cholera.
Symptoms include diarrhea, vomiting and abdominal pain.
Vibrio is contracted one of two ways: by eating tainted shellfish or when an open wound comes in contact with bacteria in warm seawater.
Dr. James Oliver, a Vibrio expert and a University of North Carolina professor, says most of the people who die from the disease have compromised immune systems.
Brevard County health officials issued a warning about the Vibrio vulnificus bacterium.
Experts warn against swimming or fishing in coastal lagoons for people who have open wounds or cuts since that can lead to an infection that eats away at the skin.
They also say people with weakened immune systems are at risk for an infection if they eat raw shellfish contaminated with the bacteria.
Health officials said 59-year-old Henry "Butch" Konietzky died within 48 hours after he was exposed to bacteria while fishing for crabs in the Halifax River.
In the case of Konietzky, his daughter Sheila said he noticed lesions on his legs several hours after fishing and went to the emergency room with his wife. But the bacteria had already spread through his body, causing his kidneys to shut down.
Health officials say people should wear gloves and wash their hands after handling raw shellfish.
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