Health Authorities Alert Public to Possible Flesh-Eating Bacteria in Hurricane Idalia’s Flooded Areas

Medical professionals are closely monitoring for potential Vibrio vulnificus cases one week after Hurricane Idalia struck, as this bacterium is commonly found in brackish waters.

“We are keeping our eyes and ears open to these patients coming to our hospital. And if it’s anything like Hurricane Ian, we’re likely to see cases popping up here in North Florida coming from these coastal regions,” Dr. Norman Beatty, assistant professor of medicine at the University of Florida College of Medicine’s Division of Infectious Diseases and Global Medicine, said.