Antonio Manaytay Science 10.18.2022 20:Oct PM EDT

Florida Reports 'Abnormal Increase' in Number of Flesh-Eating Bacteria Victims After Hurricane Ian

An "abnormal increase" in the number of flesh-eating bacteria victims after Hurricane Ian blasted into Florida last month.

The hurricane had caused massive flooding on Florida's West Coast that left at least 81 people dead, reports Gizmodo.

Lee Country accounted for most of the deaths, the Lee County Sheriff's Office said.

Toxic Floodwaters

The destruction due to the monster storm did not end when it left the state.

While the storm shredded many houses and destroyed public infrastructures, Hurricane Ian also left toxic floodwaters that spread Vibrio vulnificus, the flesh-eating microorganisms that are harmful to human health.

People suffering from the disease due to the flesh-eating bacteria have the following symptoms, namely: vomiting, nausea, open skin lesions, and fever.

The bacteria can be contracted by eating raw or undercooked oysters. A person can also get the disease when an open wound comes into contact with salt or brackish water.

The disease could be life-threatening in the absence of adequate treatment, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said.

Sewage Spills Can Increase Bacteria Levels

Hurricane Ian had caused sewage spills in coastal waters, Tammy Soliz, the spokesperson of Lee County, said.

The sewage spills can cause an increase in bacteria levels, Soliz explained. And people with open wounds are most likely to get the disease.

Confirmed Cases

Cases of infections have sharply increased over the same period of last year.

So far, the state has 65 confirmed cases of infections due to flesh-eating bacteria. At least 11 people of the 65 cases died due to the disease.

In 2020 and 2021, Florida had only 34 confirmed cases.

The state's Health Department did not say the increase in cases was due to the hurricane. Officials, however, said the number of cases for this year was abnormal because of Hurricane Ian.

Fort Myers of Lee Country was adversely impacted by the storm. The monster storm had submerged homes, cars, and boats.

Likely to Contract The Disease

Those who were trapped in their homes during the onslaught of the hurricane were likely to have contracted the disease.

Florida had experienced an increase in infections in 2017 due to the bacteria when Hurricane Irma devastated most areas in the state.

The confirmed cases of infections due to the flesh-eating bacteria at the time had reached 50 with 11 deaths.

Preventing Vibrio Wound Infection

Deaths due to Vibrio infection are preventable with proper care and treatment.

CDC suggested the following tips on what to do:

A person with a wound due to piercing, tattoo, and surgery should not come into contact with brackish or saltwater during a flood.
Cover the wound with a waterproof bandage if avoiding contact with water is not possible. Although contact can occur during everyday activities, the likelihood of contact is high during a hurricane or storm surge.
Wash the wounds and cuts with soap and water after contact with saltwater, brackish water, and other media of contact.

For people with severe symptoms, seek medical attention treatment immediately.