Teen fights flesh-eating micro organism he acquired whereas swimming at park with siblings

MOBILE, Ala. (WALA/Gray News) – A 17-year-old from Florida was hospitalized for every week after he contracted Vibrio vulnificus, a flesh-eating micro organism, whereas swimming at a park along with his siblings.

Joziah Thompson, 17, spent June 1 swimming along with his siblings at Lion’s Park in Niceville, Florida. Within two days, a minor scratch on his leg turned a life-threatening emergency.

“Two days later, and his entire leg was red. He was moaning and hot to the touch and in a lot of pain,” stated Joziah’s mom, Tirzah Thompson. “As soon as I looked at his leg, I said, ‘Oh, we need to go now.’”

Doctors quickly confirmed Joziah had contracted Vibrio vulnificus, a naturally occurring micro organism present in heat, brackish coastal waters. It is typically known as a “flesh-eating bacteria” for the extreme harm it causes to pores and skin and comfortable tissue.

“I was like, ‘I’m sorry. What?’ I’ve heard of it but not around here,” Tirzah Thompson stated.

Treatment and restoration

Doctors first handled Joziah, who additionally has autism, at Twin Cities Hospital then rushed him to Studer Family Children’s Hospital in Pensacola for emergency surgical procedure to take away contaminated tissue.

“It’s just been a whirlwind trying to make sure he’s OK, and it’s been very taxing for sure,” Tirzah Thompson stated. “What child do you know that wants to spend their summer fighting for their life?”

After spending every week within the hospital and present process a number of surgical procedures, Joziah was capable of go dwelling June 10. He is on an aggressive antibiotics course and nonetheless runs the chance of an infection and coronary heart points, his mother says.

Tirzah Thompson now desires native leaders to extend public consciousness about Vibrio vulnificus and potential dangers in public waters.

“That’s why I’m pushing for a system put in place to know the bacteria levels in local waters. I don’t want this to happen to any other children,” she stated. “My son is 5-foot-11 and 225 pounds. What if this was a 5-year-old who doesn’t have the strength to fight something off like this?”

A GoFundMe has been set up to assist the household of 9 with medical payments and misplaced revenue as Joziah’s mom stays by his facet throughout his restoration.

What is Vibrio vulnificus

According to the Florida Department of Health, folks can grow to be contaminated with the micro organism by consuming uncooked or undercooked shellfish, significantly oysters, or when open wounds come into contact with coastal waters.

While wholesome folks usually expertise gentle sickness, the micro organism can grow to be life-threatening if it enters the bloodstream, inflicting septic shock and extreme pores and skin infections.

In 2025, 33 folks within the state contracted the micro organism, and 5 of them died.