Flesh Eating Bacteria in the Florida Gulf

P

Pigmeister

Member
Member
Joined
Jul 31, 2001
RO Number
5555
Messages
616
http://www.abcactionnews.com/news/state/flesh-eating-bacteria-vibro-vulnificus-in-florida-ocean-hospitalizes-32-kills-10
 
That is not flesh eating bacteria. In fact, the report specifically says it's not at 1:56.

There was a recent case of the flesh eating variety in the Chesapeake.

It's just more self-confirmation for me to still not go in that brown Chesapeake water. I stay on top of the water in the boat.
 
Just when you thought it was safe to go in the water.........
 
Bush league reporting! They mix bacteria and a guy with a viral infection in the same story. Glen, any bacteria that causes a necrotizing soft tissue infection can be called "flesh eating" bacteria.. A necrotizing infection is one in which the tissues necrose or die from the bacterial infection.
 
quote:
Originally posted by Gregory S

Bush league reporting! They mix bacteria and a guy with a viral infection in the same story. Glen, any bacteria that causes a necrotizing soft tissue infection can be called "flesh eating" bacteria.. A necrotizing infection is one in which the tissues necrose or die from the bacterial infection.

Click to expand...


I should know better than to trust the media! Still staying out of that brown water.
 
Vibrio can certainly mess you up, but it is fairly uncommon. Good to be aware of the risk, as now that you know, any small nick in the skin that flares up should cause you to pay attention right NOW. ( vs "Aw, it will go away in a few days..." )

Really, all you need to know is that some things related to the water can mess you up quickly, so anything that behaves abnormally really should be checked up quickly.
 
Sounds a bit like 'Red Tide' that infect shellfish and other filter feeders. So as not to eat shell fish in warm water conditions, a general warning is not to eat shell fish in months without an 'R'.
 
quote:
Originally posted by jtybt15

Sounds a bit like 'Red Tide' that infect shellfish and other filter feeders. So as not to eat shell fish in warm water conditions, a general warning is not to eat shell fish in months without an 'R'.

Click to expand...


The R month thing is an old wives tale.

"Myth - Oysters and other shellfish should be eaten only in months with an “r” in them.
So far as the United States is concerned, this is not true. Under commercial raising and harvesting conditions, oysters and other shellfish are safe and good to eat any month of the year. Certain European oyster which brood their young in months without an “r” are less palatable at that time of year, but this rule doesn’t apply to U.S. oysters, which don’t brood their young. As a contradiction to the myth about “r” months, shellfish containing a paralytic shellfish poison are occasionally found along the Pacific Coast in “r” months. When this occurs, people are warned against gathering and eating these particular shellfish. The California Department of Health places a quarantine on the harvesting of mussels between May1 and October 31; and along the Oregon Coast, people are warned by the news media against gathering and eating the mussels that cling to rocks that rim the beaches. The cardinal rule is that any commercially available shellfish is non-toxic and safe to eat. While Vibrio vulnificus bacteria are more prevalent in warmer months, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a full 40% of cases occur from September through April, again dispelling the idea not to eat oysters in the months without “r”s in them."
 
quote:
Originally posted by jtybt15

Sounds a bit like 'Red Tide' that infect shellfish and other filter feeders. So as not to eat shell fish in warm water conditions, a general warning is not to eat shell fish in months without an 'R'.

Click to expand...


Charlie -

It might be different here than in CA, but here the water temp in September (an "R" month) is a heck of a lot warmer than in May and a good part of June. Even most of October has warmer water than most of May, especially early May with its chilly spring water.
 
I saw that info a couple of days ago and was surprised as I had always heard that those flesh eating bugs were only found in fresh water...
 
Who told you that L Kieth? The last patient I operated on for a necrotizing bacterial skin infection was a healthy 21 year old female .
 
No, only because she got prompt extensive surgical debridement and appropriate antibiotics. Without that, her survival would have been doubtful.
 
The Key West Citizen has an article this morning (Saturday 02AUG14) which says we should be fine. Keysnews.com is a highly reliable paper and is online. It appears we have better chance of being run over by a careless boater.
 
We've had several cases in NE FL, the St. Johns River and adjacent waters, over recent years. From the news, there's no telling between news sensationalism and victim susceptibility. But Greg's post above shows us that Healthy doesn't mean Safe, so..

GREG! My CGAUX flotilla conducts boating classes in this St. Johns area, and I've already decided I need to add something about this. Can you offer some suggestions?
At the moment I'm thinking:
Run Aground? Don't Jump Out!
Stay away from oyster bars
Beach and swim only in sandy areas
Use footwear like "water shoes"
Any underwater cut is a medical emergency requiring professional attention

Thanks!
 
JD, your suggestions are appropriate, especially the water shoes. I'd recommend staying out if the water with any open wounds. Remember , most necrotizing ( flesh eating) infections aren't caused by exotic bacteria like Vibrio, but simple things like Staph and Strep which are ubiquitous.
 
I always thought salt water at the beach was good for cuts, scrapes and sores. . . shows you what I know.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top