Tag

Shellfish

All articles tagged with #shellfish

health13 days ago•4 min saved

Gulf Coast Urged to Watch for Deadly Vibrio Bacteria in Warm Waters

Health officials warn that Vibrio vulnificus, a bacteria thriving in warm, brackish Gulf waters, can cause severe illness from contaminated shellfish (often raw oysters) or exposed wounds and can progress rapidly to bloodstream infection, especially in people with liver disease or weakened immunity. Florida has 14 cases and 2 deaths, Louisiana 9 cases and 5 deaths so far this year. Warning signs include worsening pain, redness, swelling, fever, discharge or blistering; seek medical care urgently. Treatment typically involves antibiotics, sometimes IV antibiotics and sepsis care. Prevention includes thorough shellfish cooking and avoiding seawater exposure with wounds. The CDC advises prompt treatment if Vibrio infection is suspected; warmer water, flooding, and major weather events can raise Vibrio levels along the Gulf.

via LiveNOW from FOX|

#gulf-coast #health #shellfish

health22 days ago•39 min saved

Coastal Vibrio risk prompts amputation warning near Southeast Texas

Coroners warn that Vibrio vulnificus infections—sometimes leading to amputation or death—have appeared near Southeast Texas, with several Texas and nearby Louisiana cases this year. Infections can occur through open wounds exposed to warm coastal waters or by eating raw shellfish, with risk heightened in warmer months. Health officials urge caution: avoid coastal water if you have open wounds, cover and clean wounds, cook shellfish thoroughly, and seek immediate medical care if infection symptoms develop.

via KFDM|

#flesh-eating-bacteria #health #health-advisory

health28 days ago•6 min saved

Louisiana Faces Sudden Spike in Flesh-Eating Bacteria Deaths

Louisiana has nine Vibrio vulnificus infections and five deaths this year, all linked to entering warm seawater with open wounds; the bacteria can cause severe illness and a mortality rate around 20%, particularly for those with liver disease or weakened immune systems. Infections rise in May–October; prevention includes avoiding warm saltwater with wounds, steering clear of raw shellfish, and seeking prompt medical care for symptoms such as fever, swelling or severe pain.

via Fox News|

#health #louisiana #necrotizing-fasciitis

health1 month ago•45 min saved

Seafood-Linked Flesh-Eating Bacteria Sparks Florida Cases: 12 Ill, 1 Dead

Florida health officials report 12 Vibrio vulnificus infections so far this year, with one death in Palm Beach County, linked to warm coastal waters and raw or undercooked shellfish. Infections are rare but can progress rapidly, sometimes causing skin and systemic infections including necrotizing fasciitis. Symptoms can include fever, chills, rapidly spreading redness or swelling, and confusion. The CDC notes about 100–200 U.S. cases annually with roughly a 1 in 5 mortality rate. Precautions include thoroughly cooking seafood and avoiding coastal water exposure with open wounds or in at-risk individuals such as those with liver disease or diabetes.

via Yahoo|

#florida #health #infectious-diseases

health1 month ago•10 min saved

Florida battles deadly coastal bacteria tied to shellfish and warm waters

Florida health officials report 1 death and 12 Vibrio vulnificus infections along the coast, with eight of the cases in Bay, Hillsborough, Lee, Marion, Okaloosa, Polk and St. Johns counties. The bacteria thrive in warm coastal waters and can infect people through contaminated seafood or open wounds; infections are rare but can be life‑threatening and may require aggressive surgeries or amputations. Last year Florida reported 5 deaths and 33 infections related to Vibrio vulnificus, and in 2024 there were 82 infections and 19 deaths. Officials warn to avoid contact between open wounds and warm seawater and to cook shellfish thoroughly.

via The Independent|

#bacteria #florida #health

health1 month ago•2 min saved

Warm Waters Elevate Vibrio Threat in Chesapeake Bay

Vibrio vulnificus infections are rising in Chesapeake Bay as warm summer waters promote flesh-eating bacteria that can enter through broken skin or undercooked shellfish; 72 cases so far this season with severe outcomes possible, including sepsis or amputation, though treatment is available if caught early. Protective steps include avoiding water with wounds, wearing protective gear, showering after swimming, and proper shellfish cooking. Last year had 11 related deaths; Maryland waters infections are rare overall.

via WBAL-TV|

#chesapeake-bay #flesh-eating-bacteria #health

health1 month ago•4 min saved

Florida logs 1 death and 12 Vibrio infections in 2026 linked to shellfish and seawater

The Florida Department of Health reports one death (an 80–84-year-old in Palm Beach County) and 12 additional Vibrio vulnificus infections statewide so far this year, including cases in Palm Beach and Miami-Dade counties and others in Bay, Hillsborough, Lee, Marion, Okaloosa, Polk and St. Johns. Risk factors include eating raw or undercooked shellfish, especially oysters, and swimming with open wounds; those with weakened immune systems are at higher risk. Last year recorded 5 deaths and 33 cases.

via WPLG Local 10|

#flesh-eating-bacteria #florida #health

environment4 months ago•16 min saved

Heat-Warmed Waters Drive Vibrio Bacteria Northward Along the East Coast

Climate-driven warming of coastal waters is expanding Vibrio bacteria, including the deadly vulnificus, up the U.S. East Coast, increasing infection risks for beachgoers and shellfish consumers; researchers are building a month-ahead predictive model to flag high-risk counties and support public health and the shellfishing industry, though forecasts remain imperfect and industry views on the tool are mixed.

via Gizmodo|

#climate-change #environment #public-health

lifestyle5 months ago•70 min saved

Seafood industry bets on meat-like fish to boost consumption

The seafood industry is exploring ways to make fish look and taste more like meat to entice more Americans to eat seafood, using marketing, texture/flavor tweaks, and branding to appeal to meat-eaters while addressing sustainability and dietary trends.

via AP News|

#business #food-and-drink #lifestyle

health5 months ago•2 min saved

FDA warns WA-sourced oysters and clams may carry norovirus across nine states

The FDA warned that certain raw oysters from Drayton Harbor Oyster Co. and Manila clams from Lummi Indian Business Council harvested Feb. 13–Mar. 3 may be contaminated with norovirus and distributed to retailers and restaurants in Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Nevada, New York, Oregon and Washington. Restaurants and retailers should not sell or serve these shellfish and should dispose of them or arrange destruction to prevent cross-contamination. Illness typically begins 13–48 hours after exposure and lasts 24–72 hours.

via NBC News|

#cross-contamination #fda #health

health1 year ago•1 min saved

Flesh-Eating Bacteria Causes Multiple Deaths in Florida Coastal Waters in 2025

A case of flesh-eating bacteria, Vibrio vulnificus, has resulted in one death in Broward County, South Florida, with a total of 11 cases reported across the state in 2025. The bacterium, found in warm seawater and shellfish, can cause severe illness, especially through raw shellfish consumption or open wounds exposed to saltwater. Preventative measures include thoroughly cooking shellfish and avoiding contact with contaminated water or raw seafood.

via WPLG Local 10|

#flesh-eating-bacteria #health #infection-prevention

science2 years ago•4 min saved

"Shellfish Face Ancient Cancer Epidemic: A Virus-Like Spread Unveiled"

Scientists have discovered two strains of an ancient form of leukemia-like cancer that spreads among shellfish, similar to how Tasmanian devils and dogs transmit cancer cells. The transmissible tumor cells float in the water and are taken up by clams, multiplying and replicating in their hosts before escaping to attack others. This discovery raises the possibility that there may be more forms of transmissible cancer in the animal kingdom, posing a potential threat to humans. The research also revealed that the cancer cells in shellfish exhibit highly variable amounts of genetic material, challenging the belief that cancers require stable genomes to survive long-term.

via Daily Mail|

#animal-kingdom #genetic-mutations #potential-threat-to-humans

science-and-environment2 years ago•5 min saved

Centuries-Long Spread of Bizarre Cancer Among Shellfish Unveiled

Scientists have discovered that a bizarre form of contagious cancer has been spreading among shellfish for centuries, possibly even thousands of years. The cancer cells, which invade and multiply inside their victims, have been found in various species of shellfish, including soft-shell clams, mussels, and cockles. Researchers have identified numerous mutations in the cancer cells, indicating their long history of transmission. The discovery of contagious cancers in shellfish may provide insights into the nature of cancer and potential targets for treatment.

via Yahoo! Voices|

#cancer #contagious-cancer #genetic-mutations

science2 years ago•5 min saved

Centuries-Long Spread of Bizarre Cancer Among Shellfish Unveiled

Scientists have discovered that a bizarre form of contagious cancer has been spreading among shellfish for centuries, possibly even thousands of years. The cancer cells, which originated from a single ancestral cell, invade and multiply inside their new victims before spreading to attack other shellfish. This phenomenon has been observed in various species of shellfish, including clams and cockles. Researchers have found that these contagious cancers have accumulated a surprising number of mutations over time, with some cells having extra chromosomes or duplicated genomes. The ability of these cancers to survive and mutate for such long periods remains a mystery, but studying them could provide insights into cancer in humans and potentially uncover new targets for drugs.

via The New York Times|

#cancer #contagious #evolution

science3 years ago•4 min saved

Species Adaptation During Earth's Largest Extinction: A Study on Shell Life Competition

A new study conducted by paleontologists from the University of Bristol and Wuhan University challenges the long-held belief that bivalves outcompeted brachiopods during the end-Permian mass extinction. The research, published in Nature Communications, suggests that both groups were equally affected by the crisis and responded to similar external drivers. While bivalves eventually thrived and adapted to high ocean temperatures, brachiopods retreated to deeper waters. The study sheds light on the evolution of life after the mass extinction and the construction of modern ecosystems.

via Phys.org|

#bivalves #brachiopods #evolution