flyingtiger1013
August-12th-2005, 11:47 AM
http://www.nbc4.com/health/4842701/detail.html
Health Officials: Some Swimmers Should Avoid Chesapeake Bay
UPDATED: 11:59 am EDT August 12, 2005
EASTON, Md. -- A fisherman has died from a rare bacteria growing in the Chesapeake Bay.
Maryland health officials are warning everyone to learn about vibrio vulnificus, which killed the man, reported WBAL-TV in Baltimore.
Talbot County, Md., health officials said the naturally occurring bacteria evolves in an organism that leads to a bacterial infection.
Fisherman and business owner Rennie Gay said he knew the victim and expressed surprise that these waters could have led to his friend's death.
"I'm very shocked because you certainly don't want it passed on to anyone else, and we just hope it was a very isolated case," Gay said.
Health officials said this is indeed a rare case for Maryland. The last person infected with vibrio vulnificus died 25 years ago. Nationwide, about 100 people become sick from the infection each year, mostly in Gulf Coast states.
Dr. Ann Webb, the county's deputy health officer, said the bacteria has returned.
"Well, this year, the weather is much warmer than usual; therefore, we suspect, and now it has been confirmed by the Department of Natural Resources, that the bay temperature is warmer than it was last year," she said.
Health officials suggest that, for the time being, people should not eat raw seafood from the bay, and some swimmers should consider keeping out of the water.
"If they have an open, fresh, new skin lesion, I would recommend that they avoid the water and rinse it off well with fresh water and watch it. Then, once it heals, then you can certainly go into the water," Webb said.
Webb said symptoms of the bacteria include fever, vomiting, diarrhea and an obvious infection of the skin.
"It's a pretty virulent organism. If it gets in your body, it can spread pretty rapidly," Webb said.
Anyone whose immune system is compromised is more susceptible to the bacteria. But anyone can get it, and the organism can lead to death within 48 hours if not treated with antibiotics, the television station reported.
Health officials ask anyone concerned that they may have come in contact with the bacteria to consult their doctor immediately.:(
Health Officials: Some Swimmers Should Avoid Chesapeake Bay
UPDATED: 11:59 am EDT August 12, 2005
EASTON, Md. -- A fisherman has died from a rare bacteria growing in the Chesapeake Bay.
Maryland health officials are warning everyone to learn about vibrio vulnificus, which killed the man, reported WBAL-TV in Baltimore.
Talbot County, Md., health officials said the naturally occurring bacteria evolves in an organism that leads to a bacterial infection.
Fisherman and business owner Rennie Gay said he knew the victim and expressed surprise that these waters could have led to his friend's death.
"I'm very shocked because you certainly don't want it passed on to anyone else, and we just hope it was a very isolated case," Gay said.
Health officials said this is indeed a rare case for Maryland. The last person infected with vibrio vulnificus died 25 years ago. Nationwide, about 100 people become sick from the infection each year, mostly in Gulf Coast states.
Dr. Ann Webb, the county's deputy health officer, said the bacteria has returned.
"Well, this year, the weather is much warmer than usual; therefore, we suspect, and now it has been confirmed by the Department of Natural Resources, that the bay temperature is warmer than it was last year," she said.
Health officials suggest that, for the time being, people should not eat raw seafood from the bay, and some swimmers should consider keeping out of the water.
"If they have an open, fresh, new skin lesion, I would recommend that they avoid the water and rinse it off well with fresh water and watch it. Then, once it heals, then you can certainly go into the water," Webb said.
Webb said symptoms of the bacteria include fever, vomiting, diarrhea and an obvious infection of the skin.
"It's a pretty virulent organism. If it gets in your body, it can spread pretty rapidly," Webb said.
Anyone whose immune system is compromised is more susceptible to the bacteria. But anyone can get it, and the organism can lead to death within 48 hours if not treated with antibiotics, the television station reported.
Health officials ask anyone concerned that they may have come in contact with the bacteria to consult their doctor immediately.:(