"Protect Yourself: Preventing the Spread of Flesh-Eating Bacteria"

Cases of flesh-eating bacteria may double by 2060 due to warmer coastal waters caused by climate change and an aging population, according to a study. Symptoms of infection include diarrhea, stomach cramping, nausea, vomiting, fever, as well as redness, pain, swelling, warmth, discoloration, and discharge in wound infections. To stay safe, avoid saltwater or brackish water if you have a wound or recent surgery, cover wounds with waterproof bandages if they could come into contact with seawater or raw seafood, and wash wounds with soap and water if they have been exposed to saltwater, brackish water, or raw seafood. People with liver disease, cancer, diabetes, weakened immune systems, or over the age of 40 are at higher risk of infection and severe complications.