- Deaths from Vibrio vulnificus, a flesh-eating bacterium, are increasing along the southeastern US coast, with at least five fatalities reported in Florida, four in Louisiana, and one in North Carolina this year.
- The bacteria thrive in warm seawater and can cause necrotizing fasciitis, a severe infection, with a 20 percent fatality rate among those infected.
- Health officials have recorded 16 cases in Florida, 17 in Louisiana, seven in North Carolina, and three in Mississippi this year.
- Infections can occur through open wounds exposed to salty or brackish water, or by consuming contaminated raw seafood like oysters.
- Experts note an unusual spike in cases early this summer, potentially linked to high plankton concentrations or the aftermath of hurricanes, which stir up bacteria in floodwaters.
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