People headed to Florida beaches may want to proceed with caution. The state has said high levels of flesh-eating Vibrio bacteria have been detected in its waters.
The bacteria was responsible for at least 11 deaths in Florida last year. It is fatal about 50 percent of the time if it gets into people's bloodstreams. It is estimated to be responsible for 100 deaths annually in the United States.
"A person can contract the virus by eating tainted raw shell fish and oysters," said Pamela Crane, Florida Department of Health Deputy press secretary, to the New Times. "And people who swim in seawater who have open wounds are also vulnerable to the bacteria."
The Vibrio bacteria is naturally occurring in Florida waters, but the populations flare up during summer months because the bacteria thrives in warm saltwater. It also thrives in lagoons.
"Since it is naturally found in warm marine waters, people with open wounds can be exposed to Vibrio vulnificus though direct contact with seawater," said the Florida Department of Health in a statement.
This year, 11 Floridians have contracted the bacteria and two have died according to state data. According to Gawker, 59 percent of Florida's beaches aren't tested for bacteria levels.
Vibrio infections have also been reported in Alabama, Louisiana, Texas and Mississippi, however, the CDC says it is underreported.
The CDC recommends that people avoid exposing open wounds to warm saltwater and raw shellfish, to wear protective clothing when handling raw shellfish, to cook shellfish thoroughly and avoid food contamination from the raw seafood juices, and to eat shellfish promptly after cooking.
According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, symptoms in health individuals are diarrhea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In higher-risk individuals it may cause fever, shock, skin lesions or sudden chills. Death from the bacteria can occur within two days.
The bacterial infection can be diagnosed by stool, wound or blood cultures using a special growth medium. Antibiotics help, but amputation is sometimes necessary. The CDC also says that people who have weaker immune systems are at a higher risk of contracting the bacteria.
