Flesh-Eating Infections of Deadly Bacteria Species in US Linked to Heat Waves, CDC Notes

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According to a new report, three states in the US East Coast saw a rise in flesh-eating infections that came in the wake of heat waves that broke records.

Flesh-Eating Infections

The report specifically concerns the deadly bacterial species of Vibrio vulnificus. The species is known to dwell in coastal waters. If the bacteria goes into an open wound, it could result in a flesh-eating infection called necrotizing fasciitis, which is an inflamed and severe infection that leads to the rapid death of the surrounding tissue.

If the bacteria gets ingested through undercooked or raw seafood, for instance, it may also lead to gastrointestinal infection. Symptoms typically include fever, vomiting, and watery diarrhea. However, it could also result in sepsis, which is an extreme immune response that could develop into a septic shock that is life-threatening.

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Surge Amidst Heat Waves

The bacteria is known to thrive in waters that are warm. Between the period of June and August 2023, the US saw vast heat waves and sea surface temperatures that were above average. During this time in July and August, New York, Connecticut, and North Carolina saw a number of severe infections of the deadly bacteria. This was according to the report "Notes from the Field: Severe Vibrio vulnificus Infections During Heat Waves - Three Eastern U.S. States, July-August 2023" that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published.

The reports say that one notable feature of the cases is that they took place as record-breaking heat waves hit the US. While the cases may not be solely attributed to these temperature surgers, the connection between infections with the deadly bacteria as well as environmental conditions that are favorable to the growth of the microbes is well documented.

There were 11 vibriosis cases described in the report. Two were from New York; two were from Connecticut; and seven were from North Carolina. The people who were affected had ages ranging from 37 to 84 years old. In total, five patients ended up dying. This included three individuals who passed away after having a septic shock. One patient had a septic shock but was able to survive.

Among the infected individuals, six may have been exposed to the bacteria through estuarine or marine water along the Atlantic coast from July 7 to August 22. Two more cases may have stemmed from the entry of the bacteria into the hand of a person while handling seafood that was raw in the course of food preparation.

Another case was linked to the consumption of raw oysters. In another case, the person reportedly consumed raw oysters and had a wound that was exposed to water that was brackish. Because of this, the exact exposure route could not be pointed out.

The report notes that as the temperatures of coastal waters go up, infections of V. vulnificus are expected to become more prevalent. To prevent getting infected, people may avoid wound contact with salt water, raw seafood, and brackish water. It is also advised to thoroughly cook oysters and other seafood first.