Summer in the Northern Hemisphere, known for its warmth and outdoor activities, has taken an alarming turn this year.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a warning about life-threatening infections caused by a “flesh-eating” waterborne bacteria called Vibrio vulnificus, urging both doctors and the public to exercise caution. While these infections remain rare, they have become more prevalent in various parts of the U.S., particularly in coastal regions, as rising temperatures alter the climate. This summer, several coastal states have reported cases coinciding with widespread heatwaves.
Vibrio vulnificus, part of the Vibrio bacteria family, is typically contracted when open wounds come into contact with contaminated water.
When such wound infections occur, they can rapidly escalate into a life-threatening condition known as necrotizing fasciitis, sometimes referred to as the “flesh-eating” disease, although this nickname is not entirely accurate. While the bacteria do not consume the flesh, they can cause the tissue surrounding the wound to die.
Although only around 150-200 cases of V. vulnificus are reported annually to the CDC, it carries a startlingly high fatality rate, with one in five people succumbing to the infection, sometimes within one to two days of falling ill.
V. vulnificus typically thrives in warm salt or brackish waters along the coast, with most infections occurring during the summer, especially in Gulf Coast states like Louisiana and Mississippi.
However, climate change has exacerbated the problem, making these infections more frequent and widespread. A study in March revealed that reported cases in the Eastern United States increased eightfold from 1988 to 2018, with cases expanding northward by approximately 30 miles each year during that period. This summer’s conditions appear to have created an even more conducive environment for the bacteria to thrive.
The recent CDC health advisory, issued last week, focuses on severe or fatal V. vulnificus infections linked to the warming of coastal waters. It highlights several cases, including six deaths, documented in Connecticut, New York, and North Carolina. Notably, these cases occurred during widespread heatwaves and above-average coastal sea surface temperatures recorded in July and August 2023.
While it will require time to confirm whether this year has indeed witnessed a national increase in V. vulnificus cases, the long-term climate trends indicate that it will pose a growing threat in the near future.
The same March study predicted that the annual number of cases could double within the next two decades.
In light of these concerns, the CDC is advising doctors to remain vigilant for potential V. vulnificus cases, emphasizing the need for prompt treatment. Individuals at higher risk of illness, such as those with weakened immune systems or conditions like diabetes, are urged to exercise extra caution this summer. Crucially, anyone with an open wound should avoid salt or brackish water until the wound is fully healed or use waterproof bandages to reduce the risk of exposure to the bacteria.
As summer continues and climate change persists, the need for awareness and precautionary measures against waterborne infections like V. vulnificus becomes increasingly essential to protect public health.
