Hurricanes Helene and Milton have left something particularly nasty behind in their wake: bacteria known to cause “flesh-eating” infections. Florida health officials are warning residents to stay away from floodwaters that might contain Vibrio vulnificus, following a recent rise in cases after the arrival of Hurricane Helene late last month.
There are several species of Vibrio bacteria that can cause human illness, including those that can cause cholera, but V. vulnificus is especially terrifying. When these marine-dwelling bacteria enter open wounds, they can trigger a life-threatening condition called necrotizing fasciitis, which quickly kills off skin and tissue surrounding the wound (this destruction looks like half-eaten flesh, hence the misleading nickname). While only about 150 to 200 cases of V. vulnificus are reported annually to the CDC, natural disasters like hurricanes that expose people to floodwaters are known to spark larger outbreaks.
Prior to the arrival of Helene in late September, Florida had been having a relatively mild Vibrio bacteria season. But afterward, a substantial rise occurred, with 24 cases reported by the end of September, and 38 new cases in total since both Helene and Milton made landfall. To date, there have been 74 reported cases and 13 deaths, up from the 46 cases and 11 deaths documented last year.
The Florida Department of Health “urges residents and visitors to avoid floodwaters and prevent exposure to Vibrio in anticipation of flooding and heavy rain caused by Hurricane Milton,” the department said in its latest statement on the matter earlier this month.
Though V. vulnificus remains a rare occurrence, about one in five die from these infections. And evidence has been building that it’s becoming a more common problem. Last year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a public health alert warning that unusual heat waves off the eastern coast that summer may have caused a spike in cases. Other research has shown that reported cases in the eastern United States increased eightfold from 1988 to 2018 and that the range of cases has been steadily increasing northwards with every year. One major reason for this expansion is the effect that climate change has had on the environment, including raising the risk and severity of extreme weather events like hurricanes.
People with weakened immune systems are more vulnerable to serious infections from V. vulnificus. But anyone with open wounds or cuts should try to avoid getting into salt or brackish waters. If you still decide to go for a sea swim with cuts, you should at least wear a waterproof bandage, and you should thoroughly wash any open cuts that come into contact with salt and brackish water with soap and running water. The bacteria can also sometimes infect people via certain kinds of raw or undercooked food, so the CDC recommends that people cook their raw oysters and other shellfish.
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