Cape Cod swimmer contaminated with ‘flesh-eating’ illness micro organism

The state advisory sought to alert “residents and visitors to the potential danger of Vibrio bacteria in coastal waters,” in keeping with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.

Those who eat contaminated shellfish can even contract the illness, the advisory mentioned, however no such circumstances have been confirmed in Massachusetts as of this yr.

The alert was prompted by the affirmation of a particularly uncommon case of Vibrio vulnificus an infection that was probably acquired whereas swimming within the coastal water of Buzzards Bay, the assertion mentioned.

It is the seventh confirmed case amongst Massachusetts residents within the final a number of years, together with 4 that have been probably uncovered within the state, well being officers mentioned.

The situation is “extremely uncommon” and is preventable with applicable precautions and wound care, Falmouth well being officers mentioned.

“Cape Cod’s beaches are an important part of our economy, culture, and community,” Scott McGann, well being agent for the city of Falmouth, mentioned in an announcement.

“By taking a few simple precautions, residents and visitors, and particularly anyone who is vulnerable or immunocompromised, can continue to enjoy them safely,” he mentioned.

Vibrio vulnificus is a bacterium that lives in heat water and might trigger necrotizing fasciitis, or “flesh-eating disease,” in keeping with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

“Vibrio bacteria normally live in warm, salt, or brackish waters along the Atlantic coast,” Robbie Goldstein, the state’s public well being commissioner, mentioned in an announcement.

“Heat waves and above-average water surface temperatures create favorable conditions for Vibrio bacteria to grow, making May through October generally the peak season for these bacteria,“ Goldstein said.

“People with open wounds who spend time in the water, or those who consume contaminated shellfish, can develop an infection when the bacteria enter the body,” Goldstein mentioned. “Sometimes these infections can spread through the bloodstream and cause severe, even life-threatening illness.”

There are a number of species of Vibrio micro organism that may trigger human sickness. From 2015 to 2024, there was a mean of 88 circumstances of the assorted Vibrio infections per yr in Massachusetts, in keeping with the state Department of Public Health.

There have been 62 circumstances in 2020 and 127 in 2024, the division mentioned. Most of the infections arose from consuming contaminated shellfish, state well being officers mentioned.

Symptoms vary from fever to redness, ache, swelling, and heat within the wound space, in addition to discoloration and discharge.

Although Vibrio vulnificus infections are most typical within the heat waters of the Gulf Coast of Louisiana and Florida, rising water temperatures are contributing to extra circumstances arising additional north, CBS News lately reported.

This yr, there have been 17 circumstances in Louisiana, 16 in Florida, and 7 in North Carolina. Florida has reported 5 deaths to date, essentially the most of any state, CBS reported.

According to Barnstable County well being officers, these at highest danger of an infection are individuals with liver illness, diabetes, weakened immune techniques, and power sicknesses.

Pregnant ladies, older adults, and younger kids additionally ought to take further precautions. And individuals with open cuts, scrapes, or contemporary tattoos ought to keep away from swimming or wading, state well being officers mentioned.

Waters can’t be examined for Vibrio vulnificus.

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Tonya Alanez will be reached at tonya.alanez@globe.com. Follow her @talanez.