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FORT MYERS, Fla. — Florida has seen a rise in circumstances of flesh-eating micro organism this 12 months pushed largely by a surge within the county hit hardest by Hurricane Ian.
The state Division of Well being reviews that as of Friday there have been 65 circumstances of vibrio vulnificus infections and 11 deaths in Florida this 12 months. That compares with 34 circumstances and 10 deaths reported throughout all of 2021.
In Lee County, the place Ian stormed ashore final month, the well being division reviews 29 circumstances this 12 months and 4 deaths.
Well being officers didn’t give a breakdown of how most of the circumstances have been earlier than or after Ian struck.
Learn Extra: Local weather Change Might Be Spreading Flesh-Consuming Micro organism to Surprising Waters
Lee County well being officers earlier this month warned those that the post-hurricane setting—together with heat, standing water—may pose a hazard from the possibly lethal micro organism.
“Flood waters and standing waters following a hurricane pose many dangers, together with infectious ailments corresponding to vibrio vulnificus,” the county well being division stated in a information launch Oct. 3 that urged the general public to take precautions.
The advisory stated that folks with open wounds, cuts, or scratches could be uncovered to the micro organism by way of contact with sea water or brackish water. Individuals with open wounds ought to keep away from such water and search medical care instantly if an an infection is clear.
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