dailyloe.com – Health experts are on alert after the discovery of a highly lethal flesh-eating bacteria in Long Island waters. The bacteria has a 20% mortality rate within just 48 hours. Evidence of Vibrio vulnificus was found across Long Island waters. This finding comes from research at Stony Brook University.
Some areas where the flesh-eating bacteria were detected include Mecox Bay, Sagaponack Pond and Georgica Pond. A dangerous marine biotoxin called saxitoxin was also detected. Saxitoxin causes paralytic shellfish poisoning. Eating contaminated shellfish could cause significant illness or death.
Dr. Christopher Gobler, a professor and ecologist at Stony Brook University, described the infection as serious. “It’s a very, very serious infection, it gets into open wounds,” Gobler said. “People who are infected with this bacteria have a 20% chance of dying within just 48 hours.” He warned immunocompromised or elderly people with open wounds to stay out of the water in summer.
Gobler said nitrogen runoff from aging cesspools and septic systems is causing harmful algae blooms. These blooms are being exacerbated by climate change. This combination is creating a perfect toxic storm, according to a report by the NY Post. The biotoxin saxitoxin was detected in East Quogue, Southold and Shinnecock Bay.
The NY Post reports that three people died from Vibrio infections after the bacteria was first detected in the Long Island Sound in 2023. No other deaths have been reported since then. Vibrio are bacteria that naturally live in certain waters. Health experts strongly warn anyone with an open wound to stay out of the water.
