Grouping of Vibrio vulnificus bacteria revealed in the 13184x magnified scanning electron microscopic (SEM) picture, 2005. Image courtesy Centers for Disease Control (CDC) / Colorized by James Gathany. (Photo by Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images)
LONG ISLAND, NY – Health specialists are on alert after the invention of a extremely deadly flesh-eating bacteria that has a 20% mortality fee inside simply 48 hours.
What we all know:
Evidence of Vibrio vulnificus was just lately found throughout Long Island waters, in line with analysis from Stony Brook University. Some areas the place the flesh-eating bacteria have been reportedly detected embody Mecox Bay, Sagaponack Pond and Georgica Pond.
“It’s a very, very serious infection, it gets into open wounds,” stated Dr. Christopher Gobler, a professor and ecologist at Stony Brook University. “People who are infected with this bacteria have a 20% chance of dying within just 48 hours.”
Gobler stated nitrogen runoff from growing old cesspools and septic programs is inflicting dangerous algae blooms, that are being exacerbated by local weather change and creating an ideal poisonous storm, in line with a report by the (*2*)
ANTRIM, NORTHERN IRELAND – JULY 31: Blue-green algae blooms are seen alongside the shoreline at Lough Shore Park on July 31, 2025 in Antrim, Northern Ireland. Blue-green algae, often known as cyanobacteria, has been confirmed in Lough Neagh, the UK’s larg
“If someone’s immunocompromised, or elderly, and they have open wounds in summer, you may want to stay out of the water,” he warned.
Dig deeper:
The presence of saxitoxin, a harmful marine biotoxin that causes paralytic shellfish poisoning, has additionally been detected in further waters in East Quogue, Southold and Shinnecock Bay.
Eating a shellfish carrying this toxin could trigger important sickness and even loss of life.
The backstory:
The Post experiences that three folks died from Vibrio infections after the lethal bacteria was first detected in the Long Island Sound in 2023. No different deaths have been reported since then.
What is Vibrio?
Vibrio are bacteria that naturally dwell in sure coastal waters. The CDC says folks can contract vibriosis by consuming uncooked or undercooked shellfish, or an open wound coming in contact with coastal water.
Vibrio vulnificus, a species of Vibrio, could cause extreme infections, which can result in necrotizing fasciitis and even loss of life for about 1 in 5 folks.
What’s subsequent:
Specialists are exploring superior wastewater remedy strategies and aquaculture initiatives to fight declining water circumstances, in line with FOX News.
What you are able to do:
Experts warn to be further cautious throughout the summer time, as a result of these flesh-eating bacteria grow to be a significant public well being hazard when temperatures rise.
The Source: Information from this text was sourced from the NY Post, FOX News and the CDC.
