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| Florida flesh-eating illness cases spike after Hurricane Ian | Florida flesh-eating illness cases spike after Hurricane Ian |
| (about 11 hours later) | |
| The Florida county that was devastated by Hurricane Ian last month has seen a surge in cases of flesh-eating bacteria illnesses and deaths. | The Florida county that was devastated by Hurricane Ian last month has seen a surge in cases of flesh-eating bacteria illnesses and deaths. |
| Officials say Lee County, where the category four storm made landfall on 28 September, has recorded 29 illnesses and four deaths owing to the bacteria. | Officials say Lee County, where the category four storm made landfall on 28 September, has recorded 29 illnesses and four deaths owing to the bacteria. |
| All but two cases were diagnosed after the hurricane. | All but two cases were diagnosed after the hurricane. |
| Vibrio vulnificus infections can be caused after bacteria enters the body through open cuts. | Vibrio vulnificus infections can be caused after bacteria enters the body through open cuts. |
| The bacteria live in warm brackish water, like standing flood-waters. | |
| "The Florida Department of Health in Lee County is observing an abnormal increase in cases of Vibrio vulnificus infections as a result of exposure to the flood-waters and standing waters following Hurricane Ian," a spokesperson at the county health department said on Monday. | |
| The statement called on residents to "always be aware of the potential risks associated when exposing open wounds, cuts, or scratches on the skin to warm, brackish, or salt water". | The statement called on residents to "always be aware of the potential risks associated when exposing open wounds, cuts, or scratches on the skin to warm, brackish, or salt water". |
| "Sewage spills, like those caused from Hurricane Ian, may increase bacteria levels," the statement continued. "As the post-storm situation evolves, individuals should take precautions against infection and illness caused by Vibrio vulnificus." | "Sewage spills, like those caused from Hurricane Ian, may increase bacteria levels," the statement continued. "As the post-storm situation evolves, individuals should take precautions against infection and illness caused by Vibrio vulnificus." |
| Collier County, just south of Lee County, has also recorded three confirmed cases that officials say are storm-related. | Collier County, just south of Lee County, has also recorded three confirmed cases that officials say are storm-related. |
| Hurricane clean up efforts are continuing throughout Florida | Hurricane clean up efforts are continuing throughout Florida |
| Across Florida, there have been a record 11 confirmed deaths attributed to the bacterium this year, and a total of 65 cases, according to state health data. Officials estimate that nearly half are related to Hurricane Ian. | Across Florida, there have been a record 11 confirmed deaths attributed to the bacterium this year, and a total of 65 cases, according to state health data. Officials estimate that nearly half are related to Hurricane Ian. |
| In 2021, 10 deaths were recorded and 34 cases in Florida. Seven deaths were attributed to the bacteria in 2020. | In 2021, 10 deaths were recorded and 34 cases in Florida. Seven deaths were attributed to the bacteria in 2020. |
| Vibrio vulnificus is known as "flesh-eating" because it can develop into necrotising fasciitis, a condition that causes tissue to break down. It is not the only bacteria that can cause necrotising fasciitis. | Vibrio vulnificus is known as "flesh-eating" because it can develop into necrotising fasciitis, a condition that causes tissue to break down. It is not the only bacteria that can cause necrotising fasciitis. |
| According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, around one in five Vibrio vulnificus patients dies, sometimes within only a day or two of becoming ill. | According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, around one in five Vibrio vulnificus patients dies, sometimes within only a day or two of becoming ill. |
| It can cause sepsis if it enters the bloodstream, and can sometimes lead to amputations to prevent its spread to other parts of a patient's body. | It can cause sepsis if it enters the bloodstream, and can sometimes lead to amputations to prevent its spread to other parts of a patient's body. |