Crash-landing planes aren’t the only hazard on Florida beaches: The state has warned that high levels of flesh-eating Vibrio bacteria have been detected in its waters, according to reports.
The naturally-occurring bacteria, which thrives in warm, moderately salty water, causes around 80,000 illnesses and 100 deaths in the US yearly and killed at least 11 people in Florida last year.
Health officials say the bacteria is especially dangerous to people with weak immune systems and is fatal around 50% of the time when it gets into people’s bloodstreams.
“A person can contract the virus by eating tainted raw shellfish and oysters,” a Florida health official says. “And people who swim in seawater who have open wounds are also vulnerable to the bacteria.” Symptoms of infection include fever, chills, and skin lesions, the New Times notes, explaining that while many people have probably already swum in bacteria-infested waters and been OK, people with weak immune systems should probably steer clear of Florida waters for now.
Researchers say that illnesses caused by Vibrio bacteria are set to rise as the oceans get warmer.