Florida flesh eating bacteria 2014 is now threatening several states in the United States, including Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Texas, reports WFTS. According to an ABC station in Tampa Bay, the Florida flesh eating bacteria 2014, also called Vibrio vulnificus , has already hospitalized 32 and killed 10. This includes the recent death of one person in Sarasota County, Fla., said the Florida Department of Health.
The Florida flesh eating bacteria 2014, which thrives in warm salt water and infects swimmers through their open wounds, is reportedly highly fatal for those with chronic health conditions.
The recent Florida victim was confirmed Tuesday. According to Fox News, the resident died from the Florida flesh eating bacteria 2014 after bathing in saltwater. It is believed that saltwater apparently entered the victim's open wound. However, it is not clear when the incident occurred, and neither did officials say where the patient contracted the Florida flesh eating bacteria 2014.
A Florida Department of Health spokesperson told MyFoxTampaBay.com that the unidentified Florida resident was middle-aged and had chronic health problems.
Steve Huard, a spokesperson for the Hillborough County Health Department said, 'For someone who is immune-compromised, or has chronic liver disease, it could be a life-threatening situation. And it's as simple as going in the water with open cuts or wounds to your skin.'
WFTS was also told by experts from the Florida Department of Health that 'anyone with a compromised immune system or anyone with an open cut should not go into the water. Those who do jump into the ocean should wash off before heading home.'
According to an AccuWeather report, the recent death from the Florida flesh eating bacteria 2014 is the second case in the U.S. for the month of July. The first case reportedly resulted in sickness. The U.S. Department of Health said that both cases involved middle-aged patients with compromising medical conditions.
According to officials from the Florida Health Department, in 2013, 41 people have contracted the bacteria. 11 from the 41 cases died last year.
The Times-Picayune reported that in September 2005, five people died after contracting the bacteria. They were thought to have gotten infected from swimming in flood waters in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. The deaths were reported to have occurred in Mississippi and Texas.
The ABC Station in Tampa Bay reported that the Florida flesh eating bacteria 2014 is akin to the bacteria which cause cholera. Meanwhile, Florida officials have released a warning for swimmers and consumers of raw oysters.
According to the Center for Disease Control, Vibrio Vulnificus thrives in isolated areas with warm salt waters. Summer months are especially risky due to peak temperatures.
Florida Today reports that the Florida flesh eating bacteria 2014 can enter the human body even through an ant bite or any tiny wound. People who have swam in the mentioned waters are therefore advised to properly rinse off to only eat shellfish that have been properly cooked to eliminate remaining bacteria.
Florida flesh eating bacteria 2014 can be prevented through the following tips:
- Do not eat raw oysters or other raw shellfish.
- Cook shellfish (oysters, clams, mussels) thoroughly.
- For shellfish in the shell, either a) boil until the shells open and continue boiling for 5 more minutes, or b) steam until the shells open and then continue cooking for 9 more minutes. Do not eat those shellfish that do not open during cooking. Boil shucked oysters at least 3 minutes, or fry them in oil at least 10 minutes at 375°F.
- Avoid cross-contamination of cooked seafood and other foods with raw seafood and juices from raw seafood.
- Eat shellfish promptly after cooking and refrigerate leftovers.
- Avoid exposure of open wounds or broken skin to warm salt or brackish water, or to raw shellfish harvested from such waters.
- Wear protective clothing (e.g., gloves) when handling raw shellfish.
