Florida suffers record levels of deadly flesh-eating bacteria after Hurricane Ian — killing six so far

• It can cause sepsis and necrotizing fasciitis, where the flesh around a cut dies
• A record 65 cases have been diagnosed this year in Florida, plus 11 deaths
• The infection kills one in five — others need intensive care or limb amputations

By CAITLIN TILLEY, HEALTH REPORTER FOR DAILYMAIL.COM

Flesh-eating bacteria are causing record levels of deadly infections in Florida after Hurricane Ian, state health officials have warned.

The storm ripped through the southeast US late last month, causing devastating floods and killing more than 100 people.

Now that the dust has settled, however, there has been a surge in Vibrio vulnificus infections — a type of bacteria found in warm seawater.

It is sometimes known as a flesh-eating bacteria because it can lead to necrotizing fasciitis, when flesh surrounding a wound begins to die and rot.

There have already been nearly as many infections in the past few weeks in Florida as there were for the whole of 2021.

Six people have died in Lee County as a result of wound infections being exposed to Hurricane Ian flood waters that had entered their home, or during post-storm clean-up. 

The department of health in Lee County is warning people who have open wounds or cuts to avoid floodwater or seawater.

V. vulnificus is a highly deadly bacterial infection that kills one in five people it infects, usually by entering the bloodstream and causing sepsis.

Other symptoms include fever, chills, skin lesions, and a deadly drop in blood pressure…...More Here

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