CDC alerts over 'flesh-eating bacteria'
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US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention releases a warning of Vibrio vulnificus which can cause life-threatening wound infections.
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This photo provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows Cronobacter sakazakii bacteria colonies in a petri dish in 1978 (AP)
A health warning was released by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Friday regarding a rare sickness known as "flesh-eating bacteria," stressing that unusually warm water and severe weather events could contribute to an increase in cases.
A form of bacteria called Vibrio vulnificus, which is present in some shellfish and warm coastal waters, is warned to be on the watch for infected wounds by the CDC advisory.
What is Vibrio?
One of the varieties of vibrio bacteria is V. vulnificus. According to the CDC, roughly 80,000 persons in the US contract some type of vibrio each year, and 100 of them pass away.
When it comes into touch with open wounds like cuts, bug bites, or other exposed wounds, V. vulnificus is very deadly. The bacteria can cause necrotizing fasciitis, which can quickly make some individuals very ill and kill the skin around a wound.
Read: Seaweed full of flesh-eating bacteria swarm Florida beaches
The infection can also be acquired from contact with contaminated shellfish, such as oysters. Such instances are typically the consequence of exposure to the bacteria in warm coastal waters where it thrives. Between May and October, most incidents occur.
According to the CDC, those who already have diseases like liver disease, cancer, or HIV are more vulnerable. People are also more susceptible if they are receiving immunosuppressive treatments for a condition, taking medication to lower stomach acid, or have recently undergone stomach surgery.
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