Florida health officials are urging caution as warm weather increases the risk of Vibrio vulnificus infections, a possibly deadly bacteria found in warm coastal waters. The Florida Department of Health (FDOH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have issued advisories on how to prevent infection, notably for individuals with weakened immune systems.
Video: Tips to prevent getting infected by Vibrio Vulnificus
Some tips on how to prevent getting infected by the Vibrio Vulnificus bacteria.
Oscar Santiago torres and Megan Kearney, Naples Daily News
According to the FDOH and CDC:
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Do not consume raw oysters or other raw shellfish.
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Consume shellfish promptly after cooking and refrigerate any leftovers.
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Ensure thorough cooking: Boil shellfish in their shells until they open and then for an additional five minutes. Alternatively, steam them until the shells open and then for an additional nine minutes. Shucked oysters should be boiled for at least three minutes or fried in oil at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for at least 10 minutes.
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Discard any shellfish that do not open during the cooking process.
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Prevent cross-contamination between cooked seafood and other foods,as well as juices from raw seafood. Wear protective gear,such as gloves,when handling raw shellfish.
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Individuals with compromised immune systems, including those with chronic liver disease, kidney disease, or other conditions that weaken the immune
TimesApps Integrates Enhanced Campaign Tracking and User Engagement Tools
TimesApps has rolled out a new integration designed to bolster its campaign tracking and user engagement capabilities. The update introduces functionalities for loading Google Ads (gtag) events and Facebook (FB) Pixel events, alongside the integration of the Survicate customer feedback platform.
The implementation of these tools is contingent on specific site settings and user subscription status. The system checks for the availability of `toiplus_site_settings`, specifically `isFBCampaignActive` and `isGoogleCampaignActive`. If these settings are present and the user is not a prime subscriber, the google and Facebook tracking scripts are loaded directly.
In scenarios where the initial site settings are not readily available or the user is a prime subscriber, the system fetches these configurations from a remote source. A request is made to `https://jarvis.indiatimes.com/v1/feeds/toi_plus/site_settings/643526e21443833f0c454615?db_env=published`. The response from this endpoint dictates whether the Google and Facebook tracking scripts are activated, and also determines the sections for which Survicate surveys will be enabled, adapting based on whether the user is experiencing a prime user layout.
The Survicate integration is designed to capture user feedback and engagement data.it includes a mechanism to set visitor traits, such as user subscription status and geolocation. The script ensures that Survicate is initialized correctly, either by directly calling its `setVisitorTraits` method if the Survicate object is available, or by listening for a `SurvicateReady` event to perform the setup.
The core logic is encapsulated within a self-executing anonymous function,ensuring a clean namespace and efficient execution. This function initializes the TimesApps object and defines the `toiplus` method, which orchestrates the loading of these various tracking and engagement tools based on the dynamic conditions outlined.
Bay County, Florida – Authorities in Florida report that one person has died in bay County due to a flesh-eating bacterium.
According to the Florida Department of Health, there have been 11 total cases in Florida involving the Vibrio vulnificus bacteria. The agency stated that the Bay County death brings the total number of fatalities involving the flesh-eating bacterium in the state to four. Broward, Hillsborough, and St. Johns counties have previously reported bacterial exposures.
The bacterium normally lives in warm, brackish seawater and can cause illness in people in two ways. Eating contaminated seafood can lead to vomiting,diarrhea,and abdominal pain. If an open wound comes into contact with warm seawater infected with the bacteria, it can cause serious skin infections, ulcers, and tissue breakdown.
While healthy individuals typically develop mild illness, those with weakened immune systems, particularly people with chronic liver disease, are at a substantially higher risk, health officials advised. Once the bacterium enters the bloodstream, it can become life-threatening.
Officials have not yet disclosed the exact location within Bay County where the fatal infection occurred or the circumstances surrounding it.Bay County had not reported a death from this bacterium since 2023. Flesh-eating bacteria cases have generally decreased in the state in recent years, according to officials.
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Vibrio vulnificus is a bacterium that occurs naturally in warm, coastal waters, particularly in the Gulf of Mexico. It is indeed most commonly associated with oysters and other shellfish harvested from these waters. Infection can occur through the consumption of raw or undercooked seafood or through exposure of open wounds to contaminated seawater.Individuals with compromised immune systems, liver disease, or diabetes are at a higher risk of severe illness and death. Symptoms can range from gastrointestinal distress to severe wound infections and bloodstream infections (septicemia). Public health advisories often recommend avoiding raw shellfish consumption,especially for vulnerable populations,and thoroughly cleaning any wounds that may have come into contact with seawater.
Frequently Asked Questions
Table of Contents
What is Vibrio vulnificus?
Vibrio vulnificus is a bacterium found in warm, coastal waters that can cause severe illness in humans, particularly through consumption of contaminated seafood or contact with open wounds.
How can someone get infected?
Infection can occur by eating raw or undercooked seafood, especially oysters, or by exposing an open wound to warm, brackish seawater containing the bacteria.
Who is most at risk?
Individuals with weakened immune systems, chronic liver disease, diabetes, or other underlying health conditions are at a higher risk of severe illness and complications.
what are the symptoms of infection?
Symptoms can include vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, fever, chills, and severe skin infections or ulcers if the bacteria enters through a wound.
This content does not constitute health, financial, or legal advice. Consult with qualified professionals for personalized guidance.
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Flesh-Eating Bacteria Alert: FDOH and CDC Issue Crucial Prevention Guidelines
As concerns rise regarding Vibrio vulnificus, a possibly deadly bacterium found in warm saltwater, health officials are urging the public to take stringent precautions. The Florida Department of Health (FDOH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have released vital facts to help individuals avoid contracting this dangerous infection, frequently enough referred to as “flesh-eating bacteria.”
Vibrio vulnificus infections can occur through two primary routes: consuming raw or undercooked shellfish, particularly oysters, or through exposure of open wounds to contaminated water. the bacteria thrive in warm, brackish, and saltwater environments, making coastal areas and estuaries particularly susceptible during warmer months.
To mitigate the risk of infection,the FDOH and CDC recommend the following:
Protect Open Wounds: Individuals with open wounds,cuts,or abrasions should avoid contact with warm saltwater,brackish water,or floodwaters.If exposure is unavoidable, wounds must be covered with a waterproof bandage.
Immediate Wound Care: Any skin breaks that come into contact with saltwater, brackish water, or raw seafood and its juices should be thoroughly washed with soap and water instantly.
Recognize Infection Signs: Prompt medical attention is crucial if a wound exhibits signs of infection, such as redness, swelling, oozing, fever, increasing pain, shortness of breath, rapid heart rate, or confusion.
Safe Shellfish Consumption: The CDC strongly advises against eating raw oysters and other raw shellfish. Shellfish should be cooked thoroughly. This includes boiling untill shells open and for an additional five minutes, or steaming until shells open and for an additional nine minutes. Shucked oysters should be boiled for at least three minutes or fried for at least 10 minutes at 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
* Proper Handling and storage: Shellfish that do not open during cooking should be discarded. To prevent cross-contamination,cooked seafood should be consumed promptly,and leftovers refrigerated.When handling raw shellfish, protective clothing, such as gloves, should be worn.Adhering to these guidelines is paramount for safeguarding public health against the serious threat posed by Vibrio vulnificus.