Hurricane Ian and the Plague of “Flesh-eating” Bacteria
On September 27, 2022, the state of Florida experienced a destructive Category 4 Atlantic hurricane, the deadliest hurricane to strike Florida since 1935. Hurricane Ian caused widespread damage through the Caribbean and the southeast United States, leaving hundreds killed and more than 6,000 homes destroyed. With the surge of high winds and ocean waters, homes, businesses, public infrastructure, crops, and wildlife are all compromised.
Many now face the after effects of the damage. Hurricanes have shown to cause or worsen multiple diseases, with the most adverse health impacts peaking around six months after the hurricane struck. According to state health data, Florida is now experiencing a surge of rare “flesh-eating” bacterial infections. Vibrio vulnificus is a salt-loving bacteria found in the warm, brackish water, such as in estuaries, salt marshes, and where rivers meet the ocean. With coastal flooding taking over streets and towns, Vibrio vulnificus is coming into contact with citizens through the contaminated water.
V. vulnificus enters through broken skin through direct contact with infected water. An individual might also contract V. vulnificus if consumed raw or undercooked shellfish. This can quickly set off “necrotizing fasciitis”, an infection that triggers aggressive tissue inflammation in muscles and other organs, causing tissues to rapidly die. Symptoms of necrotizing fasciitis may include chills, fever, swelling, blistering, skin lesions, severe pain, low blood pressure, and a build up of discharge around the wound. Those with weakened immune systems are more vulnerable to the effects of infection. Up to 20% of people who contracted necrotizing fasciitis die as the infection can lead the body to go into shock or organ failure. According to the Florida health department, 11 people out of the 65 with reported infections have died already.
V. vulnificus may be treated with antibiotics if mild. If the infection is severe, doctors may need to amputate to remove the dead or infected tissue. The Florida Department of Health advises citizens to avoid flood or standing water, to cover wounds with waterproof bandages, immediately clean and monitor wounds and cuts with soap and clean running water if in contact with infected water, and to immediately seek medical care if a wound develops redness, swelling, oozing, or other signs of infection. Fortunately, risk of V. vulnificus infection is beginning to decrease as the V. vulnificus populations shrink in late October.
https://www.livescience.com/flesh-eating-bacteria-florida-after-hurricane
Gina Pasquale (6)
Hi Gina. I found your article very interesting and informative, I had heard and about this hurricane on the news and several social platforms, but I didn't even consider the diseases that may strike from it. Are there any very early signs of V. vulnificus that people can look out for to prevent it from getting too severe?
ReplyDeleteSome early signs of V. vulnificus may include redness, pain and swelling around the site of a wound or injury. These symptoms may be accompanied with sickness and fever. One may experience watery diarrhea, abdominal cramping, nausea, vomiting, fever, and chills later in the infection process.These symptoms can be more severe in people with weakened immune systems.
Delete- Gina Pasquale
Hi Gina! I was really drawn in by your title and wanted to know more about this bacteria. It's crazy that a "flesh-eating" bacteria can be a part of the aftermath of a hurricane. Do you know how V. vulnificus can lead to a necrotizing fasciitis infection?
ReplyDelete- Ritika Koirala
DeleteNecrotizing fasciitis happens when bacteria, such as V. vulnificus, attacks the skin, subcutaneous tissue, and the fascia causing these tissues to die. Upon entering the body, bacteria spreads through the fascia, producing endotoxins and exotoxins. These restrict blood supply to tissues as well as the digestion of cells by enzymes. This can result in the excretion of pus and fluid. In severe cases when the blood supply to tissues is impaired, neither antibiotics nor the body's own mechanisms to fight infection can reach tissues. Treatments such as surgical intervention would then need to be implemented.
Delete- Gina Pasquale
DeleteHi Gina! This is very concerning for anyone impacted by the hurricane. For individuals that lost their home, do they have access to testing as a way to screen for infection? Since the treatment is most effective on the onset of infection, I hope people have access to screening and I hope there is enough supply of antibiotics.
ReplyDelete- Samantha Bunner
Hi Gina! This is one of the reasons why it is so important to restore power and water after a disaster. So many diseases capitalize on these tragedies and make things worse. How do you think we can better prepare to prevent the diseases and other health problems that follow these disasters?
ReplyDeleteThere are many strategies to implement in preparation of a natural disaster. It would be important to ensure adequate water and sanitation facilities, safety of food, implement vaccination campaigns, and provide essential clinical services and laboratory facilities. Communicating with the public about diseases that may follow disasters would be important so that individuals can be prepared to look out for areas or behaviors that could put them at risk.
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