Florida beachgoers warned of rare, flesh-eating bacteria in water

In Florida, state health officials are warning beachgoers and shellfish eaters to watch out for a potentially deadly bacteria that lives in warm marine water and has already infected seven and killed two people this year.

Vibrio vulnificus can infect people who eat contaminated raw shellfish or who have open wounds and are exposed to the bacteria in seawater, Mara Burger of the Florida Health Department said in a statement. Symptoms are vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea for people who eat tainted shellfish, and ulcers and skin breakdown for people who have the bacteria enter through a wound. Symptoms are usually mild for people who are healthy, and there is a higher risk of severe complications for people with weakened immune systems, especially from chronic liver disease.

Cases are very rare — just 32 were reported last year — and health officials say to avoid infection, do not enter seawater if you have fresh cuts, wear foot protection to avoid getting cuts on rocks and shells, and cook shellfish thoroughly. Most cases can be treated with antibiotics, but in extreme cases, infected limbs have to be amputated.

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