Warning as five are infected by FLESH-EATING bacteria from Long Island Sound in ‘concerning’ rise

FIVE people in Connecticut have been infected with a flesh-eating bacteria from the Long Island Sound.

Dr. Matthew Cartter, the state epidemiologist for the Connecticut Department of Health said five cases in the span of two months is "very concerning."

The patients have been diagnosed with Virbio vulnificus, the New York Post reported.

"This suggest the Vibrio bacteria may be present in salt or brackish water in or near Long Island Sound, and people should take precautions," Cartter said.

Infections can result in intensive care, limb amputation and necrotizing fasciitis – or flesh-eating bacteria.

Vibrio vulnificus is not the only life-threatening bacteria that can cause an infection after swimming.

Tanner Lake Wall, 13, was on vacation with his friends and family at a campground in North Florida where he was exposed to a brain-eating amoeba, naegleria fowleri, when he went swimming in a lake.

He became ill after two days of swimming, and died on August 2. 

What is Vibrio vulnificus?

Vibrio vulnificus is an infection you can get through an open wound that comes in contact with raw or undercooked seafood, its juices, or its drippings or with saltwater or brackish water.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that about one in five people with this infection die, sometimes within a day or two of becoming ill.

Infections can result in intensive care, limb amputation and necrotizing fasciitis – or flesh-eating bacteria.

Main signs and symptoms of Vibrio vulnficius are watery diarrhea, often accompanied by stomach cramping, nausea, vomiting, and fever.

Lower your chances of getting the infection by staying out of saltwater or brackish water – including wading.

The CDC also recommends people cover wounds with a waterproof bandage.

The boy's parents are now advising the public to be aware that brain-eating amoeba can be present in bodies of water from July to late September. 

According to the Post, officials reported one new case of Vibrio vulnificus in July and four in August, just two less than the total number of cases reported between 2010 and 2019.

The patients are between ages 49 and 85 years old.

According to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a Vibrio infection can also come from raw or undercooked shellfish.

Vibrio vulnificus is a life threatening species of the infection and can occur when an open wound comes in contact with raw or undercooked seafood, its juices, or its drippings or with saltwater or brackish water.

The CDC also recommends people cover open wounds with a waterproof bandage and avoid swimming or wading in saltwater or brackish water.

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