I live in Ontario where we are blessed with the Great
Lakes and the Trent-Severn Waterway, a meandering 386 km river and lake
system with locks that is absolutely gorgeous, but then I spend every weekend
on the Trent so am a bit biased. We have
fish, water snakes (I'm not so partial to those), osprey, beavers, fishers,
crows and of course our share of bugs and noxious weeds such as poison ivy that
we need to worry about, but the water is clear, clean and cooling when we want
to take a dip! To my knowledge there are
no parasites or bacteria that we need to be wary of.
Apparently that is not the case in Florida where Vibrio vulnificus has been found. It
is a gram-negative bacteria that is related to the organism that causes
cholera, and can be found in marine environments such
as estuaries, brackish ponds, or coastal areas. Thankfully it needs salt to live, so my fresh
water Trent River does not pose any concerns.
Vibrio vulnificus infections often occur after eating seafood,
especially raw or undercooked oysters. It does not alter the
appearance, taste, or odor of oysters which of course increases the risk of
eating a contaminated one, (I'll take the risk!). The bacteria can also enter the body
through open wounds when swimming or wading in infected
waters, or via puncture wounds from the spines of fish such
as tilapia or stingrays.
When it enters the body via a cut, scrape or any other type of wound,
the bacteria that can lead to the "flesh eating" condition also known
as "necrotizing fasciitis".
is a gram-negative bacteria that is related to the organism that causes
cholera, and can be found in marine environments such
as estuaries, brackish ponds, or coastal areas. Thankfully it needs salt to live, so my fresh
water Trent River does not pose any concerns.
Vibrio vulnificus infections often occur after eating seafood,
especially raw or undercooked oysters. It does not alter the
appearance, taste, or odor of oysters which of course increases the risk of
eating a contaminated one, (I'll take the risk!). The bacteria can also enter the body
through open wounds when swimming or wading in infected
waters, or via puncture wounds from the spines of fish such
as tilapia or stingrays.
When it enters the body via a cut, scrape or any other type of wound,
the bacteria that can lead to the "flesh eating" condition also known
as "necrotizing fasciitis".
As of July 28th, 32 people have been infected and 10
people have died from infections caused by this bacteria. When ingested, the bacteria has a 25%
mortality rate, but this jumps to 50% if it enters your body through a wound. One Epidemiologist from Florida has been
quoted to say "anyone with an open wound should think twice before heading
into warm salt water." According to
the Florida Department of Health, states in the Gulf Coast region average about
50 cases, 45 hospitalizations and 16 deaths annually. Florida, which is where the majority of cases
are reported from has averaged about 27 cases annually over the past five
years.
people have died from infections caused by this bacteria. When ingested, the bacteria has a 25%
mortality rate, but this jumps to 50% if it enters your body through a wound. One Epidemiologist from Florida has been
quoted to say "anyone with an open wound should think twice before heading
into warm salt water." According to
the Florida Department of Health, states in the Gulf Coast region average about
50 cases, 45 hospitalizations and 16 deaths annually. Florida, which is where the majority of cases
are reported from has averaged about 27 cases annually over the past five
years.
Illness generally begins within one to three days of
exposure, but can take up to a week with symptoms including fever, swelling and
redness of skin on arms or legs, with blood-tinged blisters, low blood pressure
and shock. Swimmers with broken skin are
especially susceptible to infection from seawater. While concerning because of the mortality rate,
the bacteria rarely causes serious disease which actually leads to
underreporting.
exposure, but can take up to a week with symptoms including fever, swelling and
redness of skin on arms or legs, with blood-tinged blisters, low blood pressure
and shock. Swimmers with broken skin are
especially susceptible to infection from seawater. While concerning because of the mortality rate,
the bacteria rarely causes serious disease which actually leads to
underreporting.
If you're headed to Florida for a summer vacation, please
investigate if Vibrio has been found in the waters in the area you will be
staying. Even if it hasn't, take a few
extra minutes to check over your loved ones for open cuts before they enter the
water!
investigate if Vibrio has been found in the waters in the area you will be
staying. Even if it hasn't, take a few
extra minutes to check over your loved ones for open cuts before they enter the
water!
Bugging Off (Well, wading off....I'm going for a dip in
the Trent!)
the Trent!)
Nicole
