Cape Cod swimmer contaminated with uncommon micro organism

Local News

The swimmer, described by officers as “an older individual,” went into the water at a Falmouth seashore with an open wound.

Massachusetts public well being officers issued a warning Wednesday in regards to the presence of a uncommon and probably harmful micro organism within the state’s coastal waters after a swimmer contracted an unusual an infection on Cape Cod.

The Vibrio vulnificus an infection, from Vibrio micro organism, was recognized final week in an “older individual” who went swimming with an uncovered wound at Old Silver Beach in Falmouth, Falmouth and Barnstable County well being officers said in a statement. 

Old Silver Beach stays open, the Cape officers stated, noting that the infections from the micro organism stay “extremely uncommon.” 

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

There isn’t any option to monitor bathing water for Vibrio micro organism, in response to Falmouth officers. 

According to state health officials, there have been seven confirmed circumstances of Vibrio vulnificus in Massachusetts within the final a number of years, together with 4 who had been seemingly uncovered within the state. 

Infections from the micro organism are extra widespread in hotter waters alongside the Gulf Coast, in response to public well being officers.

Generally, most infections from Vibrio micro organism consequence from individuals consuming shellfish containing the micro organism, state well being officers stated.

Anyone uncovered to the micro organism can get an an infection, however immunocompromised individuals or these with a power sickness, younger youngsters, and pregnant persons are at higher danger from growing extreme illness. 

“Vibrio bacteria normally live in warm, salt or brackish waters along the Atlantic coast,” Public Health Commissioner Robbie Goldstein stated 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. 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. Sometimes these infections can spread through the bloodstream and cause severe, even life-threatening illness.”

Some Vibrio infections can result in the “flesh-eating” illness known as necrotizing fasciitis, which ends up in the dying of the flesh across the contaminated wound, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Symptoms of a Vibrio an infection embody fever, chills, vomiting, and diarrhea.

“People who have an open wound that has been exposed to warm, coastal waters are advised to monitor for signs and symptoms of infection for seven days and are advised to seek medical attention if they develop fever, chills, dangerously low blood pressure, blistering skin lesions or any redness, pain, swelling, warmth, discoloration, or discharge at the site of the wound,” state well being officers stated Wednesday.

To stop wound infections from Vibrio micro organism, well being officers advise staying out of coastal waters or utilizing a water-proof bandage over any open wounds. People with open wounds must also keep away from dealing with uncooked seafood, and any wounds needs to be washed with cleaning soap and water after coming into contact with coastal water or uncooked shellfish, officers stated.