Department of Public Health warns public to be aware of flesh-eating bacteria in local waters

By Allison Marlow
Posted 7/7/17

The Alabama Department of Public Health is cautioning people to be aware of the risks involved with swimming in or eating raw or undercooked seafood from local waters.

The department issued the …

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Department of Public Health warns public to be aware of flesh-eating bacteria in local waters

Posted

The Alabama Department of Public Health is cautioning people to be aware of the risks involved with swimming in or eating raw or undercooked seafood from local waters.

The department issued the warning this afternoon in a press release after one case of vibrio vibriosis was reported in Fairhope last week and three more were confirmed days later in Mobile.

Al.com reported that the Mobile County Health Department said the three cases in that county were reported in March and June. One occurred after the patient ate raw oysters from another state and two others were infected after swimming with an open wound in area waters.

Vibrio, often referred to as flesh-eating bacteria because it quickly destroys soft tissue, is a naturally occurring bacteria. People who have pre-existing medical conditions or open wounds and sores are more likely to become infected.

“Most soft-tissue infections occur with either injury or with conditions such as poorly controlled diabetes or low immunity. However, sometimes otherwise healthy people can develop a skin infection after skin injury and being exposed to natural bodies of water. Some bacteria can cause more severe infections than others,” said Dr. Karen Landers, Assistant State Health Officer, ADPH, in today’s press release.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that each year in the United States 80,000 people become sick with vibriosis, and 100 people die from their infection.

During the past 12 months, ADPH has conducted 33 investigations and reported 30 cases of vibriosis in Alabama. ADPH says there are numerous infections every year and a small number of people develop serious and sometimes fatal infections.

Landers cautions the public to be aware of the risks involved in bodies of water.

“If you have open wounds, cuts, abrasions and sores, stay out of the water. Persons with low immune systems, cancer, diabetes, liver disease, and other chronic conditions should avoid eating raw or undercooked seafood, especially oysters,” she says in the release.

Vibrio bacteria can enter the body through a break in the skin or by consuming contaminated seafood. If a person gets a cut while in the water, immediately wash the wound with soap and fresh water. If the wound shows any signs of infection (redness, pain or swelling) or if the cut is deep, get medical attention immediately.

Vibrio illness symptoms may include diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain, chills, fever, shock, skin lesions and wound infections. In someone with a compromised immune system, the bacteria can infect the bloodstream and may result in death. With Vibrio skin infections, surgery may be necessary. For all cases of Vibrio, it is important to begin treatment immediately because early medical care and antibiotics improve survival.