Transcript:
The most dangerous of these bacteria that you might encounter during this time of year are in the Vibrio family.
Vibrio vulnificus is a bacteria that is naturally occurring in warm, brackish waters. It lives in shellfish like oysters, which is a huge source of income for a lot of people here in the Gulf Coast and a staple of our food culture.
Vibrio is the common cause of death related to eating seafood in the United States.
It is fatal to 25% of people infected through open wounds while swimming, and 50% of people who ingest it, and most people die within 48 hours of infection.
It has no odor, does not alter the taste of appearance of seafood, and since it is a bacteria strain, you’d have to have microscope to see it.
It also effects men much more severely than women – 85% of those who reach endotoxic shock from infection are men.
That might be because estrogen has been experimentally shown to have a protective effect.
If infected through a wound, Vulnificus can lead to necrotizing fasciitis – also known as flesh-eating disease.
Necrosis is the death of cells in living tissue – it causes your body to rot while you’re alive.
If you’re into gross and disturbing photos of shocking diseases, google necrotizing fasciitis. If you’re NOT into shocking and horrifying graphic imagery of flesh eating diseases, definitely DO NOT look it up.
Back to the big bad boy bacteria.
We get asked a LOT about where it comes from, how does global warming impact it, can you eat oysters safely in months without the letter “R” in them.
As I said before, it is naturally occurring, but like all naturally occurring bacteria, certain conditions can cause it to flare up or can kill it entirely.
The two important ingredients here are water temperature and salinity.
Vv multiplies in the water column once temps stay above 18 degrees Celsius, and prolificate when water temps are above 25 * c.
The warmer the water, the more bacteria flourish.
Right now, water temps in Florida coastal areas are at record levels – in south Florida, water temps right now are as high as 34* C.
That whole “only eat oysters in months with an “R” in it” thing? Total bull. It’s SeptembeR – the most dangerous month for vibrio.
The bacteria also prefer brackish coastal areas with lower salinity.
As oceanic temperatures rise and salinity decreases – whether from a lot of recent rainfall or diversion of freshwater into a marine environment – the bacteria flourish.
Vibrio Vulnificus to another Vibrio bacteria you’ve probably heard of – cholera.
The famous 1854 cholera outbreak in London which was traced to feces contamination in a handful of water pumps revolutionized modern epidemiology and our understanding of disease.
If you want to learn more, there’s a great book out there by Steven Johnson called “The Ghost Map.”
So thank a geographer for all this wonderful knowledge!
Rebekah Jones is a scientist, whistleblower, mom, and candidate for Florida's 1st Congressional District.
Visit the campaign website and donate today at: www.RebekahJonesCampaign.com
Contact information:
Phone: 850-980-0735
Email: Info@RebekahJonesCampaign.com
Mailing address:
PO BOX 1259
Gulf Breeze, FL 32562
