BEACHGOERS have been warned to steer clear of seaweed, as toxic clumps found on shores have been found to contain dangerous “flesh-eating” bacteria.
Swathes of brown algae – known as Sargassum – have been blanketing beaches in South Florida in recent weeks, floating in from an ominous mass of the stuff that was first spotted in the Atlantic Ocean in 2018.
Sargassum seaweed is blanketing coastlines in Florida
GettyThe seaweed has been found to be an ideal host for for a bacteria species called Vibrio vulnificus, which can cause life-threatening “flesh-eating” infections[/caption]
Most beachgoers will make a point avoiding the seaweed – it’s sliminess and rotten-egg smell doesn’t exactly make swimming pleasant.
But research has revealed an even better reason to steer clear of the clumps of Sargassum lining Miami Beach and Key Biscayne, as it’s an ideal host for for a bacteria species called Vibrio vulnificus, which can cause life-threatening “flesh-eating” infections.
The bacteria lives in certain coastal areas and thrives in warm, brackish water.
A study from Florida Atlantic University published in the Water Research journal revealed that Vibrio “are the dominant cause of death in humans from the marine environment”.
And the vulnificus variety can “cause life-threatening foodborne illnesses from seafood consumption, as well as disease and death from open wound infections”, according to the research team.
Researchers found the Vibrio bacteria had a unique ability to “stick” to microplastics in the ocean. It also had “zot” genes, which produce toxins that can damage the intestines and cause what they called a “leaky gut syndrome”.
Co-author of the study and assistant professor of biology at Florida Atlantic University, Tracy Minster, explained that you might be at risk of a “leaky gut and diarrhoea” if you eat a fish that’s ingested a Vibrio-laced microplastic.
The bacteria can cause these symptoms – as well as fever and stomach cramps – within 24 hours of you ingesting it.
Vibrio can also enter the bloodstream through a break in the skin, such as a cut or bite.
In some rare cases, that can cause a “flesh-eating” infection called necrotising fasciitis, which is fast-moving and can be fatal within days.
Necrotising fasciitis is a rare but serious bacterial infection that affects the tissue beneath the skin; and surrounding muscles and organs.
It’s dubbed a “flesh-eating bug” but the bacteria doesn’t actually eat the flesh, it releases toxins that damage the tissues, causing it to rot away.
The bacteria can spread in a matter of hours, even from a minor injury, and is life-threatening if it’s not treated early enough.
What are the symptoms of a Vibrio infection?
According to the CDC, early symptoms of a Vibrio infection include:
Watery diarrhea and stomach crampsNauseaFever and chillsBlistering skin, which may present as black dotsLow blood pressurePain, swelling, or warmth around an infected wound
Meanwhile, according to the NHS, initial symptoms of necrotising fasciitis include:
ntense pain or loss of feeling near to a cut or wound – the pain may seem much worse than you would usually expect from a cut or woundSwelling of the skin around the affected areaFlu-like symptoms, such as a high temperature, headache and tiredness
Later symptoms can include:
Being sick (vomiting) and diarrhoeaConfusionBlack, purple or grey blotches and blisters on the skin (these may be less obvious on black or brown skin)
How can beachgoers keep themselves safe from flesh eating bacteria?
If you have any open wounds, it’s important you keep them covered by a waterproof bandage or plaster and avoid getting seawater in them.
Even an unintentional splash from walking near the water could put you in danger id its gets into an open cut – this includes new piercings and tattoos.
The same goes with juices from raw fish, as getting those in a wound could put you at risk of a Vibrio infection.
If you do get saltwater or juices from raw fish in a wound, wash it immediately with soap and water.
And seek medical help And if you start experiencing the symptoms of a Vibrio infection, seek medical attention.
You can also be at risk of a Vibrio infection when eating raw or undercooked seafood – particularly oysters.