But a high-risk person—someone
with a compromised immune system
or liver disease—is more likely to
suffer severe consequences and
should avoid the water if they have
scrapes. People may also want to wear
sandals in the water to prevent cuts.
What are the first signs of
necrotizing fasciitis?
It can start with an aggressive wound
that may quickly get worse, redden
and spread. The person will typically
start feeling very sick, feverish and
dizzy. They should seek medical atten-
tion without delay. Don’t wait a day.
What is the typical prognosis?
It can be very variable. It’s treated
with antibiotics, but surgery may be
required to remove unhealthy tissue. If
somebody gets a severe necrotizing in-
fection, that’s a life-threatening illness.
What would you tell worried parents
who are sending their kids off to camp?
These infections are largely in coastal
gulf waters, not necessarily in places
where kids go to camp. But parents
should counsel kids to check their
skin, and if they have any wounds that
develop or worsen after being in water,
they should ask for an adult’s help.
What is my risk of developing this?
Among all the people who go swim-
ming or come into contact with the
water all around the U.S., even in the
South and areas with higher risk,
the number of cases is still relatively
rare. There are all sorts of risks we
take in life. People should just make
sure they’re not taking excess risks
and watch for any wound issues after
going in salty or brackish water. •
Mike Walton, 50
Recovering
While fishing off the
coast of Florida’s Palm
Harbor, he was stuck
with a fishhook and
required surgery.
Dave Bennett, 66
Deceased
Bennett got a fever
and died after
swimming in Florida.
He had cancer and
was at high risk.
Kylei Parker, 12
Recovering
She went wading in
Florida after scraping
her toe. Her calf
swelled and her fever
exceeded 104.
Jeanette LeBlanc, 55
Deceased
LeBlanc contracted
vibrio after eating
raw oysters in
Louisiana and died
20 days later.
Tyler King, 31
Recovering
King, who paddled
on a Florida lake but
didn’t go in the water,
said his left arm nearly
tripled in size.
Lynn Flemming, 77
Deceased
Flemming was initially
given antibiotics and a
tetanus shot; later she
suffered two strokes
and organ failure.
Ricky Rutherford, 41
Recovering
He needed surgery to
remove necrotizing
fasciitis in his leg
after kayaking in an
Alabama river.
Gary Evans, 56
Deceased
The Texas man
had no underlying
health problems but
died four days after
crabbing on the shore.
Among the Victims
Doctors were
able to save
Mike Walton’s
hand after he
experienced
swelling and
black bubbles
from bacteria
on a fishhook.
HIGHER
RISK AREAS
Cases have occurred in
southeastern coastal
waters from the Gulf of
Mexico to the Delaware
Bay (including Ocean
City, Md., pictured).
What is flesh-eating bacteria?
Generally when people use that
term, they are referring to a tissue-
destroying infection. Different
types of bacteria can cause it, but
one—vibrio—is associated with the
summertime seawater exposures that
are in the news now. The most severe
symptom is necrotizing fasciitis,
which is an aggressive and potentially
deadly infection.
How do you get the infection?
It comes from swimming in waters
with high amounts of the bacteria.
Seawater and brackish waters—where
salt and fresh water mix—in coastal
areas tend to lead to the most cases.
You can also ingest vibrio from eating
raw shellfish.
Why do cases of necrotizing fasciitis
seem more prevalent this summer?
The CDC estimates there are 80,000
cases of vibrio infection each year,
with 500 hospitalizations and 100
deaths. But the number of cases has
been increasing, most likely due to
climate change: The bacteria thrive at
water temperatures over 55 degrees,
and ocean temperatures are rising.
How can I minimize my risk?
For the average person the risk is
fairly low, though they should be
careful if they have an open wound.
August 5, 2019 PEOPLE 63
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