Concern about Vibrio bacteria is growing in the United States, where twelve people have been confirmed dead this year. Therefore, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a warning about this growing health crisis.
Symptoms of vibrio may include diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting, fever, chills, cellulitis, and ulcers. Whether due to contaminated shellfish or open water swimming, the exact causes of these deaths often remain unclear.
In Galveston County, Texas, five to ten cases of Vibrio infections are reported annually, sometimes fatal. This year, eight more deaths were reported in Florida, one in New York and two in Connecticut. Local health officer Philip Keizer points out that these bacteria can spread very quickly. “Once it appears, this infection spreads like wildfire,” he told ABC News.
Scientists warn that by 2040, every coastal US state may be vulnerable to this dangerous bacteria. They stress the need to take urgent preventive measures and raise awareness.
