Flesh eating bacteria thrives after hurricanes. Here’s what to know

( NewsNation ) — The water that Hurricane Milton leaves behind may be just as deadly as the winds and storm surge, an infectious disease expert explained in a recent appearance on NewsNation.

Dr. Norman Beatty, of the infectious diseases division at the University of Florida, said that vibrio vulnificus — often referred to as a “flesh-eating bacteria” — can be found in floodwaters, storm surges or runoff amid extreme weather events, and can find its way into the body during rescue or cleanup efforts.

“Most of the time, what we see after a hurricane, is we have our volunteers, our homeowners, they’re out and they’re cleaning up the mess. They’re out in the storm surge waters, and that vibrio bacteria — specifically vibrio vilnificus — is penetrating through the skin.

“You step on a nail, slice your leg, you get an open wound and the bacteria gets in,” added Beatty. “And time is ticking, because those infections spread very rapidly, in the leg, in an extremity.”

Vibrio infections in the United States most commonly occur via the ingestion of raw or undercooked shellfish. But they are not uncommon after “extreme weather events” bring surges of warm coastal waters — where vibrio bacteria live — to more inland areas, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says.

In those events, those with wounds, scrapes, cuts, or fresh tattoos or piercings are more susceptible to vibrio infection after coming into contact with these waters, the CDC says. The most at-risk groups, however, are “evacuees who are older or have underlying health conditions,” according to the agency.

Symptoms can include diarrhea, nausea, fever, chills, and pain or swelling at the site of a wound, among others. Some cases of vibrio infection may also present with necrotizing flesh, and require amputation, the CDC says.

The infections can also be fatal, health officials have observed. Beatty, speaking on NewsNation’s “Banfield” on Wednesday evening, said flesh-eating bacteria took quite a toll two years ago after Hurricane Ian.

“There were 38 confirmed cases right after the storm, and at least 11 people died,” he said. “And that is really tragic.”

There’s also evidence to suggest an association between increasing vibrio infections and climate change, as increases in infection rates have been observed in areas with above-average sea surface temperatures. In 2023, for instance, such temperatures were accompanied by “severe and fatal” vibrio infections in several East Coast states, many of which were “acquired after an open wound was exposed to coastal waters,” the CDC said.

Early treatment, such as hydration and antibiotics, is key to reducing the fatality rate of severe vibrio infections, the agency adds.

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