Florida sees rise in flesh-eating bacteria infections after Hurricane Ian

Asher Notheis

October 20, 02:20 PM October 20, 02:20 PM

Florida communities are facing another rising threat post-Hurricane Ian. This time, it's flesh-eating bacteria.

This year, a total of 65 infections of Vibrio vulnificus have been reported in the Sunshine State as of Friday, an increase from when there were 37 cases reported prior to Ian hitting Florida on Sept. 28. Lee County recorded 29 infections, the most out of all of Florida's counties, according to data from Florida's Department of Health.

“Since September 29, 2022, 26 cases of Vibrio vulnificus associated with Hurricane Ian have been reported to DOH-Lee," Lee County Department of Health spokeswoman Tammy Soliz told CNN. "All 26 cases had wound infections with exposure to Hurricane Ian floodwaters that occurred from the storm surge entering their homes or during post-storm clean-up. There have been six deaths among Lee County residents.”

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Eleven deaths have been attributed to Vibrio vulnificus, the most deaths from the bacteria since 2015, when 14 deaths were recorded. In 2021, 34 cases and 10 deaths were recorded, according to state data.

Vibrio vulnificus can be life-threatening, and many people who are infected require either intensive care or limb amputations. The chance of a person dying from this infection is about 20%, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The flesh-eating caused by the bacteria is known as necrotizing fasciitis, which is a severe infection that causes the flesh around an open wound to die. Other types of bacteria can cause necrotizing fasciitis, even though Vibrio vulnificus is known as the "flesh-eating bacteria" in the media, according to the CDC.

To avoid infection, Florida's Health Department recommends people to avoid wading into warm water with open wounds or broken skin.