Vibrio vulnificus is a much more commonly occurring bacteria than people think, and can be found in Gulf and brackish waters.
Pensacola News JournalPENSACOLA, Fla – Aug. 31 was a typical Saturday for new Pensacola resident Bernie Stewart: he launched his kayak in Big Lagoon with a buddy and spent the day fishing. It was a good day on the water; he caught lots of fish, loaded his kayak back onto his truck at sunset and went home.
It wasn't a sunburn. Stewart had contracted Vibrio vulnificus, a potentially deadly infection better known by its more common name: flesh-eating bacteria. Bernie Stewart first thought the redness on his right leg was a bad sunburn. He then realized it was flesh-eating bacteria."If you test anywhere, you'll find it," he said."If you go out into the Gulf and take a gallon of water right now and test it, you'll find Vibrio."
"Vibrio is very rare. I mean, think about it. How many times have you been in the ocean and not gotten it?" Lanza said."Multiply that times 300 million people."The 59-year-old Pennsylvania native, who moved to Pensacola this past July to grow his kayak anchor company, said he had a healthy immune system and no cuts or lacerations when he contracted the disease. But it spread quickly, and almost cost him his leg — and his life. Thankfully, doctors were able to save both.
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