Plant antibacterials: The challenges and opportunities
More Cases Of Deadly 'flesh-eating' Bacterial Infection In Popular Vacation Destination
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Five deaths have been reported in Florida due to a "flesh-eating" bacterial infection, according to state health officials.
The Florida Department of Health has confirmed 16 total cases of Vibrio vulnificus across 12 counties, as reported by local outlets.
Last year, the state reported even higher numbers: 82 cases and 19 deaths.
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Louisiana is also seeing a higher-than-average case count, with the health department reporting 17 infections and four deaths so far in 2025.
The U.S. Sees an average of 150 to 200 infections per year, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Most cases of the infection occur in the Gulf Coast states (Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas).
Five deaths have been reported in Florida due to a "flesh-eating" bacterial infection, according to state health officials. (iStock)
What is Vibrio vulnificus?Vibrio vulnificus is part of a wider group of Vibrio bacteria, which are found in coastal waters, the CDC states.
This specific bacterium, Vibrio vulnificus, can enter open wounds when people are swimming.
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"Warmer waters provide a ready incubator for Vibrio growth," Dr. Nathan Goodyear, an integrative medicine physician at the Williams Cancer Institute in California, told Fox News Digital. "Flesh-eating bacteria are thermophilic halophiles, readily populating in warm, salty, brackish water."
Additionally, an increase in plankton blooms, which harbor Vibrio bacteria, is associated with increased cases. Increased flooding and hurricanes, as well as other natural disasters, can also spread the medium in which the flesh-eating bacteria exist, Goodyear noted.
Vibrio vulnificus is part of a wider group of Vibrio bacteria, which are found in coastal waters. (iStock)
Vibrio has the potential to cause severe infections, according to Dr. Andrew Handel, pediatric infectious diseases specialist at Stony Brook Children's Hospital in New York.
Those include invasive soft tissue infections (sometimes called "necrotizing fasciitis" or "flesh-eating bacteria") and bloodstream infections.
"People who have skin infections often have high fevers and intense pain, swelling and redness at the site of infection."
Groups at highest risk include older adults and people who are immunocompromised or have chronic liver disease, Handel cautioned.
"Raw oysters and other shellfish can also be infected with Vibrio, leading to severe gastroenteritis or food poisoning," he told Fox News Digital.
Symptoms to watch forVibrio symptoms depend on the type of infection, according to Handel.
"People who have skin infections often have high fevers and intense pain, swelling and redness at the site of infection, which usually occurs after an open wound is exposed to infected water," he told Fox News Digital.
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"The symptoms from skin infections can progress very quickly and quickly become life-threatening in a short time. Thankfully, those infections are rare."
People who have eaten contaminated shellfish will have severe vomiting and diarrhea, which can lead to dehydration, the doctor warned.
This specific bacterium, Vibrio vulnificus, typically lives in warm, brackish seawater, and can enter open wounds when people are swimming. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
While healthy people generally experience only mild symptoms, those who are immunocompromised or have chronic liver disease can face serious health risks.
If Vibrio vulnificus enters the bloodstream, it can cause severe illness marked by fever, chills, septic shock and blistering skin lesions, according to Florida Health.
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About half of these bloodstream infections are fatal.
Some severe cases can cause an infection called necrotizing fasciitis, which is when the flesh around an open wound dies, the CDC cautions. This rare side effect has led to Vibrio vulnificus being described as a "flesh-eating bacteria."
Diagnosis and treatmentThe bacterial infection is diagnosed by testing cultures obtained from stool, wounds or blood, according to health officials.
"People who have skin infections often have high fevers and intense pain, swelling and redness at the site of infection, which usually occurs after an open wound is exposed to infected water," a doctor told Fox News Digital. (iStock)
For mild infections, the CDC recommends increasing fluid intake to prevent dehydration.
Those with severe or prolonged infections should receive antibiotics to improve survival rates. For people with infected wounds, surgery may be necessary to remove dead tissue.
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"Antibiotics alone are not enough to calm the flesh-eating storm, Goodyear told Fox News Digital. "Early surgical debridement to remove infection sources is readily required."
About one in five people will die from the infection, sometimes within a day or two of illness, the CDC states.
Preventing infectionTo prevent Vibrio infections, experts recommend against swimming in open bodies of water like the ocean, rivers and estuaries if you have any open wounds.
"To prevent Vibrio food poisoning, avoid eating raw shellfish, especially if you are immunocompromised or have chronic liver disease," Handel advised.
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"If you do eat shellfish, make sure it has not been sitting out for a long time and comes from a hygienic source."
"Antibiotics alone are not enough to calm the flesh-eating storm."
The doctor noted that Vibrio infections are rare and "should not be a major cause of alarm."
"For up-to-date information in your state and location, always check with your state and regional health departments for updates," Goodyear advised.
Fox News Digital reached out to the Florida Department of Public Health for comment.
Melissa Rudy is senior health editor and a member of the lifestyle team at Fox News Digital. Story tips can be sent to melissa.Rudy@fox.Com.
Georgia Ranks Among The Worst In US For Bacterial Contamination In Retail Meat
ATLANTA, GA — A new analysis of FDA data shows that Georgia, South Carolina, and Tennessee rank highest for overall contamination risk of four bacterial pathogens including E. Coli, Salmonella, and Campylobacter.
According to the report from Trace One, chicken is the most contaminated meat in Georgia.
"Among the samples tested for each bacterium, chicken had the highest rates of Salmonella (17.9%) and Campylobacter (17.1%), both of which are major causes of gastrointestinal disease and hospitalization."
It is followed by ground turkey, pork chops, and ground beef.
According to the CDC, an estimated 48M people in the United States get sick from foodborne illnesses each year. Of these, approximately 128,000 are hospitalized, and 3,000 die.
This does not necessarily mean more contaminated meat is in Georgia. Rather, it may mean that the Georgia tests more for contaminated foods.
Five Deaths Reported Amid Bacterial Infection Outbreak In Major City
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A total of five people have now died amid an outbreak of bacterial pneumonia, which has infected dozens of people in New York City, according to health officials.
As of Aug. 19, there have been 108 confirmed cases of Legionnaires' disease, a type of pneumonia caused by the bacteria Legionella.
Fourteen people are currently hospitalized, according to NYC Health.
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The cluster of cases is concentrated in Central Harlem and bordering communities (zip codes 10027, 10030, 10035, 10037 and 10039).
"Anyone in these zip codes with flu-like symptoms should contact a healthcare provider as soon as possible," said Acting Health Commissioner Dr. Michelle Morse in the health department's previous alert.
A total of 58 people in Central Harlem have been diagnosed with Legionnaires' disease, a bacterial pneumonia. (iStock)
Legionnaires' is usually found in lakes, streams and other freshwater environments.
However, it can grow and spread indoors via shower heads, sink faucets, hot tubs, water features/fountains, plumbing systems and other water systems where conditions are favorable for the Legionella bacteria to grow, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
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When people swallow or breathe in droplets of water that contain Legionella, they can potentially become ill with Legionnaires' disease.
The disease is not typically spread from person to person, per the CDC.
Legionnaires' disease is caused by the bacteria Legionella, which can cause flu-like symptoms and respiratory problems. (iStock)
In the case of the New York City outbreak, the health department directed the state to perform remediation for 11 cooling towers that tested positive for the bacteria.
"Legionnaires' disease can be effectively treated if diagnosed early, but New Yorkers at higher risk, like adults aged 50 and older and those who smoke or have chronic lung conditions, should be especially mindful of their symptoms and seek care as soon as symptoms begin," Morse added.
Symptoms and riskSymptoms of Legionnaires' disease usually show up between two and 14 days after exposure.
The condition usually causes flu-like symptoms, including cough, chills, muscle aches, fever or difficulty breathing.
Some patients may also experience nausea, diarrhea and confusion, the CDC noted.
When people swallow or breathe in droplets of water that contain Legionella, they can potentially become ill with Legionnaires' disease. (iStock)
"The nature of the symptoms is not necessarily what differentiates Legionella from other causes, but history of exposure from 'human-made reservoirs,' though this may be hard to discern early on in infection and/or in an outbreak," said Goodyear.
Those who have any of these symptoms should seek medical attention immediately, the CDC advises.
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Groups at highest risk include smokers, people 50 and older, those with chronic lung disease and people who are immunocompromised, according to health officials.
"Other risk factors include advancing age, cardiovascular disease, obesity and compromised immune systems," Dr. Nathan Goodyear, an integrative medicine physician at the Williams Cancer Institute in California, previously told Fox News Digital.
Around 10% of people who contract Legionnaires' disease will die from complications.
Diagnosis of Legionnaires' disease is made via chest X-ray, urine test and lab analysis of a phlegm sample.
Most people with the disease will recover with a course of antibiotics.
In some patients, however, serious illness can lead to lung failure or death, per the CDC.
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Around 10% of people who contract Legionnaires' disease will die from those complications — and the mortality risk rises to 25% for those who get Legionnaires' while staying in a healthcare facility.
"Treatment needs to be early and aggressive," Goodyear told Fox News Digital. "Legionella infection is an intracellular infection that requires antibiotic treatment."
Legionella bacteria can grow and spread indoors via shower heads, sink faucets, hot tubs, water features/fountains, plumbing systems and other water systems. (iStock)
Antibiotics that are appropriate for Legionella infection include Levofloxacin and Azithromycin.
"Therapy can be prescribed orally in healthy individuals … but intravenous antibiotics often prove to be the initial option for treatment secondary to the pathogenicity of the disease," Goodyear said.
Prevention strategiesCurrently, there are no vaccines for Legionnaires' disease.
The best strategy to prevent infection is to reduce the growth and spread of the Legionella bacteria.
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The CDC recommends that building owners and managers use a water management program to reduce the risk.
To prevent serious illness from Legionnaires', Goodyear recommends that all smokers kick the habit, and also emphasizes the need to "aggressively support" chronic pulmonary disease.
Melissa Rudy is senior health editor and a member of the lifestyle team at Fox News Digital. Story tips can be sent to melissa.Rudy@fox.Com.
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