Florida beach-goers told to beware flesh-eating bacteria in water
07/30/2014 09:39
At least 11 Florida beach-goers were killed in 2013 by a deadly flesh-eating bacteria that naturally occurs in warm, salty waters — and authorities say this summer season isn’t shaping to be any better for the southern swimmers.
Health officials in the Sunshine State say the Vibrio bacteria have been detected in waters off Florida’s coastline and that swimmers need to beware: The bacteria kills about 50 percent of those it infects.
The bacteria favors those with weakened immune systems and can be caught by swimming with open sores — or by eating certain tainted shellfish and oysters, Newsmax reported.
About 80,000 in the nation are sickened and another 100 killed by the bacteria each year. WashingtonTimes