Waterborne Bacteria in Beaches Worry Florida Swimmers; Kills 7

It looks like this summer has turned deadly for some Florida beach goers as a silent and invisible threat is making its way along the coast of the Gulf and Atlantic open waters. 

According to The Tampa Tribune, it's not sharks that are causing the stir but a microscopic bacteria strain called Vibrio vulnificus. The Florida Department of Health reported that out of the 13 recorded infections, seven has turned lethal. The latest victim is 26-year-old Fruitland Park resident Carson Yeager. It has been noted that he passed away two days after a family outing wherein Yeagar swam in waist-deep water near Pine Island, Hernando County. 

Karen Yeagar Mercer, Carson's mother, described her son's symptoms as a combination of chills and vomiting. She also confirmed that her son has been diagnosed with an autoimmune disorder. Although he was already in remission for 10 years, a weakened immune system has probably made him more vulnerable to the infection. 

Florida Department of Health spokesperson Mara Burger clarified that Vibrio vulnificus is not a flesh-eating bacteria but if left untreated, can result to serious damage to soft tissues, which in turn can be fatal. 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines Vibrio vulnificus as bacteria that act similarly like those found in cholera. They are part of the halophilic vibrios that breed in humid seawater and require salt to live, thus most cases occur in oceans and beaches. 

An infection may occur if an individual eats contaminated seafood or swims in the ocean with an unhealed wound. Symptoms vary from diarrhea, vomiting and abdominal pain. If the individual happens to be suffering from liver disease, he is also prone to having blood stream infection, resulting to a 50 percent life-threatening condition. 

CDC also explained that individuals suffering from Vibrio vulnificus infection can be treated by taking antibiotics, while on severe cases, amputation may be deemed necessary. 

Wateronline adds that infected individuals will not die immediately die due to the disease as there is a possibility of a recovery without any long-lasting harmful outcome. However, once the disease infects the bloodstream and causes skin lesions or ulcers, then that's the time that severe measures should be done. An infected blood can result to decomposition of body tissues, making it unable to heal and be usable. That's also when doctors consider amputation or a skin-grafting to save the individual.