A deadly bacteria present in the Gulf of Mexico is causing concern for Florida beachgoers.
The bacteria, Vibrio vulnificus, is from the same family as cholera and is most commonly found in warm coastal waters. It requires high concentrations of salt to survive.
According to the Florida Department of Health, infections are rare in healthy people. The bacteria normally infects people who enter coastal waters with an open wound or through consumption of undercooked or raw oysters.
Contrary to some reports, the bacteria doesn't eat flesh, but it is still deadly under certain circumstances, writes CNN.
If the bacteria enters the bloodstream, it can then damage the skin and in 50 percent of such cases is fatal, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.
Oysters feed by filtering water, where they extract food particles, and sometimes the Vibrio vulnificus bacteria, which then concentrates on the oyster tissue. If an infected oyster is eaten undercooked or raw, the bacteria can enter the individual's digestive tract and multiply rapidly.
Vibrio vulnificus has infected 214 people and killed 66 since 2008, according to the Florida Department of Health.
The bacteria, Vibrio vulnificus, is from the same family as cholera and is most commonly found in warm coastal waters. It requires high concentrations of salt to survive.
According to the Florida Department of Health, infections are rare in healthy people. The bacteria normally infects people who enter coastal waters with an open wound or through consumption of undercooked or raw oysters.
Contrary to some reports, the bacteria doesn't eat flesh, but it is still deadly under certain circumstances, writes CNN.
If the bacteria enters the bloodstream, it can then damage the skin and in 50 percent of such cases is fatal, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.
Oysters feed by filtering water, where they extract food particles, and sometimes the Vibrio vulnificus bacteria, which then concentrates on the oyster tissue. If an infected oyster is eaten undercooked or raw, the bacteria can enter the individual's digestive tract and multiply rapidly.
Vibrio vulnificus has infected 214 people and killed 66 since 2008, according to the Florida Department of Health.
Comments
Post a Comment