The Back Story: An infection that surprises beachgoers.
It is unclear whether the occurrence of these cases farther north than usual may be the result of better screening or of warming waters associated with climate change.
The disease, technically called vibriosis, can be caused by infection with some related bacteria. Among the worst is V. vulnificus, which is relatively rare but can be fatal for vulnerable people, with survival rates as low as 33 percent, according to a scientific paper.
The bacterium is usually spread in two ways.
When people swim in water contaminated with V. vulnificus, an open wound or cut can provide an entry point for the organism. From there it spreads, becoming what’s called a flesh-eating infection that quickly moves beyond the wound into healthy tissue. It can then leak into the bloodstream, causing a life-threatening condition called sepsis.
The bacterium is also spread when people who are immunocompromised or have liver disease eat raw oysters that are contaminated. Doctors warn patients with these conditions against eating raw oysters, which have been contaminated with the seawater they filter for food.
Older people are usually at greater risk. The three patients who became ill in Connecticut were in their 60s and older. People who take medications to reduce stomach acid may also be more likely to get an infection or develop complications following an infection.
If you’re among the vulnerable, wear shoes that protect against cuts and scrapes when you’re in brackish or brackish water. Wear protective gloves when handling raw seafood. Avoid swimming in the ocean if you have a cut, scratch or other abrasion that could introduce the bacterium.
What to Watch for: Bacteria gather in crevices.
Vibriosis causes a wide range of symptoms, including diarrhea and abdominal pain, vomiting, fever, chills, ear infections and wound infections.
Intestinal problems occur more quickly in people who ingest the bacterium, usually by eating raw oysters. Ear infections and wounds will be red, swollen and very painful for some time. Blisters filled with clear fluid may appear on the skin.
Symptoms usually appear within 12 to 24 hours of exposure, and people should seek medical care as soon as possible. Tell doctors about exposure: Infection can spread quickly if left untreated.
“If the wound starts to look red, puffy and painful, or has a discharge, or redness that spreads beyond the edges of the wound, you need to get medical attention right away,” says Dr. Schaffner. “Don’t try to tough it out and wait for it to be worse tomorrow.”
A lab test is required to make a diagnosis. Treatment includes antibiotics and supportive care, but surgery may be needed to clean an infected wound and stop the infection from spreading.
Your Beach Weekend: The weak must beware.
Consider staying out of the water, and not even walking on the beach or wading, if you have an open wound, including one from a recent surgery or piercing or tattoo. An open wound means any cut, scratch or other scratch that could allow bacteria to enter your body.
If there is a possibility that your wound will come into contact with salt or brackish water, marine life, or raw or undercooked seafood while you are cooking, swimming, fishing, boating or walking on the beach, cover the opening wound with a waterproof bandage.
If a wound or cut comes into contact with saltwater or saltwater, raw seafood or its juices, wash it thoroughly with soap and water. If you develop a skin infection, tell your health care provider right away — it’s an infection that can spread quickly.
What’s Next: Watch for infection in unexpected places.
Climate change will test us all in unexpected ways. Vibrio infection is something that Americans living in the Northeast may need to watch for right now.
If you have cancer, are immunocompromised, have liver disease or take medications to lower stomach acid, doctors say you should not eat raw or undercooked oysters or other raw or undercooked shellfish. (Of course, the same is true for pregnant women.)
If you handle raw shellfish, wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water afterward.