Warmer Seas Expand Flesh‑Eating Bacteria—How to Stay Safe
Vibrio vulnificus, a flesh‑eating bacterium that thrives in warm seawater, is spreading as ocean temperatures rise, increasing infections in the U.S. and Europe. In the U.S., cases have been reported in Louisiana (9 cases, 5 deaths), Florida (14 cases, 2 deaths), and Maryland (72 cases as of late June), with the bacterium also spreading into new coastal areas due to warming waters. Infections typically occur when people with open wounds are in warm or brackish water or when handling/consuming raw shellfish; symptoms can progress rapidly to severe tissue damage (necrotizing fasciitis) and even death if not treated promptly. Treatments involve urgent IV antibiotics and sometimes surgical removal of infected tissue, and there are growing concerns about antibiotic resistance. Climate change is driving this spread and amplifying exposure via stronger storms. CDC guidance to reduce risk includes keeping wounds out of water, covering fresh wounds with waterproof bandages, avoiding handling raw seafood when wounds are present, and washing any wounds promptly after water exposure. The infection remains rare but potentially deadly, underscoring the importance of awareness and quick medical care.
