CDC warns that cases of deadly flesh-eating bacterial infections linked to climate change have doubled in a year — killing Americans in their 30s
A growing number of Americans are becoming infected with a deadly flesh-eating bacteria lurking in seawater and estuaries, health officials warn.
Vibrio vulnificus, which multiplies in warm temperatures, is infecting twice as many East Coasters compared to 2022, new data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows.
Scientists say the increase in prevalence is due to gradually rising water temperatures in the US, due to climate change.
The gruesome insect enters the body through cuts and abrasions in the skin and begins eating human flesh within 24 hours.
Without treatment, the disease can cause necrosis – tissue death – and fatal blood poisoning.
Estimates suggest that about one in three infections is fatal.
Fatal infections caused by the vibrio vulnificus bacteria are becoming increasingly common in the US
The above graph shows the increasing number of cases noted in North Carolina, New York and Connecticut, between July and September, over the past three years.
The CDC report — led by the agency’s waterborne disease expert Michael Hughes — examined data from three states: North Carolina, Connecticut and New York.
It looked at 11 cases recorded in North Carolina, New York and Connecticut in July and August last year.
By comparison, only five infections were recorded at the same time in 2022 – and none in New York or Connecticut.
The year before, there were seven infections during this period, six of which were in North Carolina and three in New York.
Eight of the patients registered in July and August died from the disease.
The report found that the average age of infected patients was 70 years old, although one person was only 37 years old.
All but one had at least one underlying condition, with diabetes, cancer, heart disease and a history of alcoholism being the most common – with three patients.
Two patients were also reported to have a hematological disease, or disorders of the blood or the organs that produce blood.
Six of the patients were reported to have become infected after bathing in warm coastal waters.
But in at least two cases, the infection was related to a cut on the hand while preparing raw seafood for consumption.
Raw seafood, such as oysters, can become contaminated with the bacteria because these animals are filter feeders and suck the water to find nutrients. Once consumed by patients, the bacteria in the shellfish can cause illness.
The experts warned in the report that ‘Vibrio vulnificus infections are expected to become more common’ due to ‘rising coastal water temperatures’.
Experts have been sounding the alarm about warming coastal temperatures for years.
Last year, surface water temperatures in Florida reached a record high of 101F.
The CDC report also included advice for Americans to help them prevent infections.
‘People can take steps to prevent illness by avoiding wound contact with brackish water, salt water and raw seafood and by thoroughly cooking oysters and other seafood before eating them.’
Doctors warn that any open wound — even one as small as a paper cut — can be enough to cause an infection if you swim in open water without protection.
Early warning signs of an infection include redness and swelling around the site where the bacteria entered the body.
Doctors say antibiotics should be administered quickly to treat the infection.
Healthy adults are at little risk, doctors say, because their immune systems are strong enough to fight the bacteria.
But those with underlying conditions – such as obesity and old age – or who are taking immune-suppressing medications may be at greater risk.
Millions of Americans were warned to be careful at the beach over Labor Day weekend last year due to the risk of contamination with the Vibrio bacteria.
Experts told DailyMail.com that anyone with an open wound should avoid swimming in waters where Vibrio had been identified.
Experts say the bacteria, which thrives in warm, brackish waters and is now only found in and around the Gulf of Mexico, has now seeped into new areas due to rising temperatures.
Dr. Luis Ostrosky – an infectious disease expert at UTHealth Houston in Texas – said this was a “very, very aggressive bacteria.”
He told DailyMail.com: ‘If you have cuts, don’t go into the water.
‘You have to be very aware of cuts and not go into sea water if you have it.
“If you have a weakened immune system, have diabetes or have cirrhosis of the liver, it’s really not a good idea to go swimming (in the ocean) at this time.”