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With summertime ’s muggy weather , people are constellate to swim in the ocean or soak up the sun , and the more adventurous are perhaps eating oysters on the half shell .
But those summertime activities can have some filthy side burden — including an infection triggered by marine bacteria calledVibrio vulnificus . Last week , a Louisiana valet de chambre died from an contagion from the bacterium that he acquired over the July 4th weekend , consort to news report .
Theocean microbe , which is related to the bacteria that do cholera , is often picked up from eating raw oyster . ButV. vulnificuscan also enter the body through an open wound , and have nasty , skin - eating infection , said Kimberly Reece , a molecular geneticist and marine scientist at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science in Gloucester Point , Virginia , who read the bacteria .
" It ’s in the environment all the time , " Reece say .
But although the bacteria are almost always lurking in the water system , they are usually not severe for tidy the great unwashed , Reece said . And there are several steps people can take to preclude serious contagion , Reece added . [ 6 Superbugs to Watch Out For ]
Mostly harmless
V. vulnificustend to multiply in warmer salt water , which means bacterial concentrations can lift dramatically in the summer calendar month . Infections are also more rough-cut among the great unwashed who enter the crackers waters of theGulf of Mexicoand the Atlantic compared with those who wade into the more frigid Pacific Ocean , Reece said .
Most of the time , the bacteria are harmless . But the microbes collect in the bodies of oyster and other shellfish . citizenry who eat raw or undercooked oyster bunk the in high spirits risk of contractingV. vulnificusfrom food , Reece said .
mass can also be infected with the bug if they have an unfastened wounding and go swimming in pee with high levels of the bacteria .
Most people confront a minimum threat from the bug .
" The only citizenry who commonly become very inauspicious withVibrio vulnificusare people who are diabetic or their immune systems are compromised , " Reece narrate Live Science , adding that not every person who has a weaken immune system of rules bonk it .
For those who have ingested the bacterium , distinctive symptom admit diarrhea , vomiting and serious dehydration . Those who acquire theflesh - feeding infectionmay have what calculate like raw , open wounding spreading across their skin .
Sometimes , however , mass who acquire the infection by either route educate blood poisoning , or a systemic blood infection , which can kill them , Reece say .
acquire precaution
There are strict regulations for how to handle oyster in the summer calendar month , and huitre farmers will often flaunt - freezing or dry shellfish immediately after harvesting them to preventVibrio vulnificusproliferation , Reece said .
But the surest way to deflect the bug is tonot consume raw or undercooked mollusc , especially during the summertime months when the bacteria fly high . People should also make trusted they are buying their mollusc from reputable reaper who use secure handling techniques , she added .
multitude can also quash the infection by continue out of the piss if they have an open cut of meat or huffy .
Anyone who develops a foul - looking sore , or an upset venter after being exposed to the hazard factors , should go to a Dr. instantly , according to Reece . V. vulnificusinfections can be treated with antibiotics , but treatment is more in force if it ’s done soon after the transmission study handgrip .
