Researchers have found that global warming is causing the spread of a deadly flesh-eating bacteria, Vibrio vulnificus, along the northeastern coast of the United States. The bacteria, which is found in warm, shallow coastal waters, can infect a person through a cut or insect bite during contact with seawater.
As ocean waters warm, the bacteria has spread as far north as Philadelphia and is expected to continue spreading further north.
Elizabeth Archer, a researcher at the University of East Anglia, warns that climate change will likely cause more cases of Vibrio vulnificus infections in northern states along the U.S. East Coast. She emphasizes the need for increased awareness among coastal activity participants and health care professionals, especially in Northeast states where infections are rare or nonexistent. Early medical attention is crucial, as the infection can quickly become severe, and there is a one-in-five chance of dying from it. Many survivors often require amputation of an arm or leg.
Based on global warming models, Archer’s team predicts that the infections will spread northwards, with the extent depending on the degree of warming. If greenhouse emissions are low, cases may extend only as far as Connecticut. If they are high, infections could spread to every East Coast state. By the end of the century, there could be around 140 to 200 infections each year.
The number of V. vulnificus infections along the East Coast has already increased from 10 per year to 80 per year between 1988 and 2018. Rising water temperatures and water levels contribute to the spread of the bacteria. Geoffrey Scott, who was not involved with the study, explains that increased sea levels due to climate change push saltwater farther into freshwater areas, creating a 230% increase in optimal growth conditions for Vibrio bacteria.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) acknowledges that infections are underreported. In 2004, the CDC estimated there were 8,000 cases, and by 2019, the estimate was 80,000. The bacteria is not only becoming more common, but also more virulent as waters become polluted with nutrients.
Overweight individuals with fatty liver disease and white men consuming raw shellfish are at higher risk for infection. Scott advises people over 60 to get tested for liver damage and avoid eating shellfish from waters with high Vibrio levels. Swimming in the ocean with high salt levels poses little danger, but inlets, bays, and sounds with lower salt levels can be breeding grounds for the bacteria. Lakes and pools are safe from V. vulnificus, which is a saltwater bacteria.
To protect public health, researchers are working on developing forecasts to warn the public about Vibrio. Preventing exposure is key, as climate change is a global issue that cannot be solved by any one country.
Key Takeaways in a Nutshell – Health Newstrack
– Global warming is causing the spread of the deadly flesh-eating bacteria, Vibrio vulnificus, along the northeastern coast of the United States.
– The bacteria can infect a person through a cut or insect bite during contact with seawater, leading to severe infections and a one-in-five chance of death.
– The spread of Vibrio vulnificus infections depends on the degree of warming; by the end of the century, there could be around 140 to 200 infections each year.
– Overweight individuals with fatty liver disease and white men consuming raw shellfish are at higher risk for infection.