Florida communities devastated by Hurricane Ian are facing a recent threat of flesh-eating bacteria — weeks after the huge storm swept across the state.
As of last Friday, the Sunshine State reported 65 infections of Vibrio vulnificus this 12 months, while there have been only 37 cases reported prior to the storm that made landfall on Sept. 28, in response to Florida Department of Health data.
Lee County, home to the Ian-ravaged communities of Fort Myers and Sanibel Island, accounts for many recent cases of Vibrio vulnificus, which eats away on the flesh in open wounds.
“DOH-Lee is observing an abnormal increase in cases of Vibrio vulnificus infections in consequence of exposure to the flood waters and standing waters following Hurricane Ian,” Lee County Department of Health spokesperson Tammy Soliz told CNN.
“Since September 29, 2022, 26 cases of Vibrio vulnificus related to Hurricane Ian have been reported to DOH-Lee. All 26 cases had wound infections with exposure to Hurricane Ian flood waters that occurred from the storm-surge entering their homes or during post-storm clean-up. There have been six deaths amongst Lee County residents.”
No less than 11 people within the Sunshine State have died from Vibrio vulnificus infection this 12 months, in response to Florida Department of Health data.
There have been only 10 deaths and 34 cases of the bacteria reported last 12 months.
Florida Health officials warned residents of the risks of the bacteria within the aftermath of Hurricane Ian on Oct. 3. The disease lives in warm, brackish seawater and thrives on sewage spills in coastal waters.
Three cases in Collier County, situated just south of Lee County, have been attributed to the hurricane as well.
The speed of reported case numbers are declining, Florida DOH spokesperson Jae Williams told CNN.
Florida communities devastated by Hurricane Ian are facing a recent threat of flesh-eating bacteria — weeks after the huge storm swept across the state.
As of last Friday, the Sunshine State reported 65 infections of Vibrio vulnificus this 12 months, while there have been only 37 cases reported prior to the storm that made landfall on Sept. 28, in response to Florida Department of Health data.
Lee County, home to the Ian-ravaged communities of Fort Myers and Sanibel Island, accounts for many recent cases of Vibrio vulnificus, which eats away on the flesh in open wounds.
“DOH-Lee is observing an abnormal increase in cases of Vibrio vulnificus infections in consequence of exposure to the flood waters and standing waters following Hurricane Ian,” Lee County Department of Health spokesperson Tammy Soliz told CNN.
“Since September 29, 2022, 26 cases of Vibrio vulnificus related to Hurricane Ian have been reported to DOH-Lee. All 26 cases had wound infections with exposure to Hurricane Ian flood waters that occurred from the storm-surge entering their homes or during post-storm clean-up. There have been six deaths amongst Lee County residents.”
No less than 11 people within the Sunshine State have died from Vibrio vulnificus infection this 12 months, in response to Florida Department of Health data.
There have been only 10 deaths and 34 cases of the bacteria reported last 12 months.
Florida Health officials warned residents of the risks of the bacteria within the aftermath of Hurricane Ian on Oct. 3. The disease lives in warm, brackish seawater and thrives on sewage spills in coastal waters.
Three cases in Collier County, situated just south of Lee County, have been attributed to the hurricane as well.
The speed of reported case numbers are declining, Florida DOH spokesperson Jae Williams told CNN.
