Month: July 2024

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Five people are confirmed dead in the Tampa Bay area due to a rare, flesh-eating bacteria in the waters. According to Florida Health, Vibrio vulnificus is a bacterium that naturally occurs in warm, brackish seawater and requires salt. Ivermectin still not effective or approved for COVID-19 treatment, FDA says There have been 25 reported cases and five deaths since January 2023. “Living in Florida, being around the marine environment, we need to be aware of what it is,” said Dr. Eric Shamas, an emergency medicine physician at Bayfront Health St. Petersburg. There are two confirmed deaths in Hillsborough County, one in Sarasota County, one in Polk County, and one in Pasco County. In 2022, there were 74 total cases and 17 deaths. Most occurred in Lee County after Hurricane Ian’s waters flooded the community. According to Florida Health, a person can get infected with Vibrio vulnificus when eating raw shellfish, particularly oysters, and entering seawater with an open wound, especially in the summer months Opioids, obesity now ranked as top public health threats in new poll “Whenever you have a break in the skin and you’re in a marine environment then theoretically you’re at risk,” Shamas said. “It’s very important to keep in mind these severe infections are very rare.” Health officials warn citizens to not enter the water if they have fresh cuts or scrapes, as the bacteria can enter the bloodstream rather quickly. Bloodstream infections are fatal 50 percent of the time. “If you have wounds, maybe stay out of the water,” Shamas said. “If you suffer a cut while in the water, just wash it out very thoroughly with soap and water. Monitor your symptoms and follow up with your doctor if you have any questions.” Common symptoms of the flesh-eating bacteria include vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and infection of the skin (if there is an open wound). Those with healthy immune systems are likely to experience a mild infection. Rare use of power: Why a wedding photographer with a clean record was held in jail for a year, but never charged Those with weakened immune systems, or have chronic liver disease, are more prone to serious and life-threatening illnesses with symptoms like fever, chills, decreased blood pressure, septic shock, and blistering skin lesions. To prevent Vibrio vulnificus infections, avoid eating raw shellfish and oysters, cook shellfish thoroughly, avoid cross-contamination of cooked seafood and raw seafood, avoid exposure of open wounds or broken skin to warm salt or brackish water, and wear protective clothing when handling raw shellfish. Seek medical help right away if you believe you may have an infection. For more information on care and treatment specifics, visit the CDC’s website. Close Modal Suggest a Correction Suggest a Correction

Sat, 19 Aug 2023 09:35:34 GMT (1692437734646) 55c58b1fa74010023bca747d4191e371d8d95a2f 987079a68c49a092641e253415432e4dfc51b5a6 by Stephanie Becerra Sat, August 19th 2023, 2:55 AM UTC Image of Barton Springs Pool infected tree and separate healthy pecan tree. (Photo: Austin Parks & Recreation) Loading …

It may feel like pandemic déjà vu: New Covid-19 variants are afoot, and hospitalizations are again on the rise. Eris recently became the most prevalent Covid variant, but now international health officials have their eyes on a new variant of concern. The latest strain — called BA.2.86 — has so far been detected only in the US, Denmark and Israel. It’s caught the attention of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization, which are closely monitoring the situation. For now, experts aren’t too concerned. 1. What is BA.2.86? The strain was first spotted by virus trackers in mid-August. Not much is known yet about how it stacks up against other variants. It appears to be a descendant of the BA.2 variant that first emerged in early 2022, but this lineage has more than 30 mutations on its spike protein, which helps the virus latch onto cells and cause infection. That could make it better at evading immunity from vaccines and past infections. 2. What about Eris? Eris, formally called EG.5, is a descendant of a group of coronavirus strains labeled XBB. These are all offshoots of the omicron variant, which arose in late 2021. EG.5 made up an estimated 17.4% of global cases in the week ending July 23, according to the WHO, up from only 7.6% four weeks earlier. It recently became the most common strain in the US, according to estimates by the CDC. 3. How concerning are the new variants? Eris poses a low risk to global public health, the WHO said. Although it’s growing in prevalence in comparison with other strains and appears to be better at evading the body’s immune defenses, there’s no evidence it causes more severe disease or can spread more easily than other versions of Covid. Pfizer Inc. and Moderna Inc. have both said that their updated Covid vaccines, formulated to target the variant known as XBB.1.5, protected against Eris in early studies. As for BA.2.86, its mutations give it “all the hallmark features of something that could take off,” said Kristian Andersen, a Scripps Research immunologist and microbiologist. However, it’s too early to tell. 4. What symptoms does it cause? Share this articleShare The symptoms of Eris and other variants seem to be the same as those caused by previous strains, according to Thomas Russo, chief of the Division of Infectious Diseases at the University of Buffalo’s medical school. Common ones include a runny nose, headache, fatigue, a sore throat and sneezing. People who are older, have compromised immune systems or suffer from multiple other conditions are at higher risk for more severe effects. These may include lower respiratory disease, chest pain and shortness of breath. The virus still kills hundreds of people each week in the US, so it’s important to get tested if you think you may be infected. 5. What’s causing a rise in US hospitalizations? The number of people admitted to the hospital with Covid-19 is on the rise for the first time this year in the US, and wastewater data has also shown cases ticking up. Hospitalizations are up in multiple other countries as well. But there’s no evidence linking increased hospitalizations to new strains, the WHO says. Experts point to other likely culprits: Extreme heat is driving gatherings indoors, where the coronavirus spreads more easily. Also, with the pandemic over, people are traveling again and no longer wearing masks. And for many people, it’s been months since they last got a vaccine or contracted the virus, meaning their immunity against infection is waning. 6. Is the US prepared for a rise in Covid-19? The US has scaled back its response to Covid-19. The government no longer purchases vaccines and treatments for the public, and free tests aren’t as widely available. Still, experts say the US isn’t likely to see the kind of surge in cases that upended life in the early years of the pandemic. Because of vaccination and prior infections, the population has widespread protection from severe disease, and therapies like Pfizer’s Paxlovid antiviral drug can reduce the risk of hospitalization and death if they’re taken early on. Even after recent increases, hospital admissions are lower than at at any other point since at least August 2020, according to CDC data. 7. What can you do to protect yourself? New booster vaccines will be available later this year, and experts say they’re especially important for vulnerable people. If you’re at higher risk and you’re going to be in a situation where exposure is likely, such as a large gathering, Russo says you can consider getting a booster shot of one of the older vaccines that are already on the market. In any case, masks help protect against infection. Pharmacies still offer Covid-19 testing services and sell at-home tests. If you’re at high risk and you develop symptoms, a test can help determine whether you should start taking Paxlovid. More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com ©2023 Bloomberg L.P.

Infections with Vibrio vulnificus are rare, especially in the Northeast. But a few recent cases suggest that precautions are wise for some wading into the water. The News With Labor Day and the start of a new school year looming, throngs of New Yorkers will head to the beach this weekend, braving traffic, sunburns, maybe sharks — and Vibrio vulnificus, a nasty, flesh-eating bacteria that thrives in warm seas and brackish water. Since the beginning of July, four people in the greater New York area have been infected with the bacteria, including three who have died, according to health officials in New York and Connecticut. Two of the people sickened in Connecticut had been exposed to saltwater or brackish water in the Long Island Sound. One had eaten raw oysters, which can become infected with the bacteria during warm spells. (The cause of the fourth infection, which killed a Suffolk County resident, is not known.) “If we were having this conversation 15 years ago, we’d be talking about infections along the Gulf Coast,” said Dr. William Schaffner, an infectious disease specialist at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine. “But now these infections are creeping up the East Coast.” The bacteria Vibrio vulnificus is related to the type that causes cholera.Janice Haney Carr/Centers for Disease Control and Prevention The Back Story: An infection that surprises beachgoers. It’s not clear whether the appearance of these cases farther north than usual may be a result of better diagnosis or to warming waters associated with climate change. The illness, technically called vibriosis, may be caused by infection with several related bacteria. Among the worst is V. vulnificus, which is relatively rare but can be deadly for those who are vulnerable, with survival rates as low as 33 percent, according to one scientific paper. The bacterium spreads most commonly in two ways. When people swim in waters contaminated with V. vulnificus, an open sore or cut can provide an entry point for the organism. From there it spreads, becoming a so-called flesh-eating infection that extends quickly beyond the wound into healthy tissue. Then it may spill over into the bloodstream, causing a life-threatening condition called sepsis. The bacterium also spreads when people who are immunocompromised or have liver disease eat raw oysters that are contaminated. Physicians warn patients with these conditions against eating raw oysters, which become infected by seawater they filter for food. Older people are generally at greater risk. The three patients who fell ill in Connecticut were all over age 60. People who take medications to reduce stomach acid may also be more likely to get infected or to develop complications following infection. If you’re among the vulnerable, wear shoes that protect against cuts and scrapes when you’re in salty or brackish water. Wear protective gloves when handling raw seafood. Avoid swimming in the ocean if you have a cut, scrape or other abrasion that might let in the bacterium. What to Watch: The bacterium seizes on openings. Vibriosis causes a wide range of symptoms, including diarrhea and stomach cramps, vomiting, fever, chills, ear infections and wound infections. The intestinal problems occur more quickly in people who have ingested the bacterium, usually by eating raw oysters. Ear and wound infections will become red, swollen and extremely painful over a bit more time. Blisters filled with clear liquid 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 the exposure: The infection can spread quickly if left untreated. “If the wound starts to look red, puffy and painful, or has a discharge, or redness spreading beyond the edges of the wound, you need to get medical attention right away,” Dr. Schaffner said. “Don’t try to tough it out and wait to see if it gets worse tomorrow.” A lab test is needed to make the diagnosis. Treatment involves antibiotics and supportive care, but surgery may be required to clean out an infected wound and stop the spread of the infection. Your Beach Weekend: The vulnerable should exercise caution. Consider avoiding the water, and not even walking on the beach or wading, if you have an open wound, including one from a recent surgical operation or piercing or tattoo. An open wound means any cut, scrape or other abrasion that might allow the bacterium into your body. If there is a chance your wound could come into contact with saltwater or brackish water, marine life, or raw or undercooked seafood while you’re cooking, swimming, fishing, boating or walking on the beach, cover the open wound with a waterproof bandage. If a wound or cut does comes into contact with brackish water or saltwater, raw seafood or its juices, wash it thoroughly with soap and water. If you develop a skin infection, let your health provider know quickly — this is an infection that can spread rapidly. What’s Next: Watch for the infection in unexpected places. Climate change will test all of us in unexpected ways. Vibrio infection is something Americans living in the Northeast may need to watch for now. If you have cancer, are immunocompromised, have liver disease or take drugs 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’re handling raw shellfish, wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water afterward.

A Maryland resident was hospitalized with malaria after contracting the disease locally — a first in more than 40 years, Maryland Department of Health officials said Friday. Malaria is caused by a parasite transmitted through mosquito bites. The Health Department did not say precisely where the patient was exposed to malaria, but officials said the person lives in the National Capital Region, which includes Prince George’s, Montgomery, Charles and Frederick counties. The patient, who was not identified by age or gender, has been discharged and sent home to recover, officials said. “Malaria can be very dangerous and even fatal if it is not treated, but early treatment reduces the chances of complications,” Deputy Secretary for Public Health Services Nilesh Kalyanaraman said in a statement. “We urge the public to take precautions against mosquito bites, and if you develop symptoms after traveling abroad, seek urgent medical care.” Locally contracted malaria cases have also been reported in Florida and Texas this year for the first time in decades, raising concerns that the disease could return to areas where it has long been considered eradicated. Malaria was declared “eliminated” in the United States in 1951, and the World Health Organization designated the country “malaria free” in 1970. Some scientists have warned that rising temperatures caused by climate change may help spread malaria by expanding the mosquito’s natural territory, something a recent study showed is already happening in parts of Africa. Climate change may make it easier for mosquitoes to spread malaria The locally transmitted case in Maryland reported Friday came from a different strain of parasite than the recent cases in Florida and Texas, a Health Department official said. The Maryland case was caused by a parasite called P. falciparum, while the cases in Florida and Texas came from a parasite called P. vivax. Share this articleShare People can prevent mosquito bites by using an insect repellent that contains DEET, wearing loosefitting, long-sleeved clothing, closing windows and doors or covering them with screens, and emptying standing water at least once a week to prevent mosquitoes from laying eggs. Malaria symptoms typically appear seven to 30 days after a bite from an infectious mosquito, the state Health Department said. Patients may develop fever, chills, headache, body aches and fatigue. Anyone experiencing those symptoms who may have been exposed to malaria should seek urgent medical care, officials said. Maryland typically reports about 200 travel-related cases of malaria each year, and there are more than 2,000 cases reported in the United States annually, but for decades all of those cases occurred in people who had recently visited areas of the world where the disease is more common. What to know about malaria after rare cases are found in Florida, Texas Maryland has long been home to the Anopheles mosquito, which can spread the parasite that causes malaria from person to person. David Blythe, director of the Maryland Department of Health’s Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Outbreak Response Bureau, said the state had eradicated locally contracted infections because of mosquito control efforts that significantly reduced the public’s exposure to the Anopheles mosquito. Blythe said one way malaria could be reintroduced to Maryland is by someone who contracted the parasite in another country and brought it back to the state. If a local mosquito bit that person in Maryland and then bit a second person, it could spread the parasite. Travelers who know they could be exposed to malaria-spreading mosquitoes in another country can get preventive drugs from their physician to reduce the chances that they contract the disease and spread it to others.