Media stories about flesh-eating bacteria at Florida vacation beaches forced the state health department to say its shorelines are safe, but beach-goers should take precautions. The disease has already infected at least seven people and killed two this year in Florida.
News agencies last week reported the Florida Department of Health's warning about Vibrio vulnificus, a potentially deadly disease that attacks the body through open wounds or if it's consumed,
according to ABC News.
"People can get infected with Vibrio vulnificus when they eat raw shellfish," said health department spokeswoman Mara Burger said in a statement last week. "Since it is naturally found in warm marine waters, people with open wounds can be exposed to Vibrio vulnificus through direct contact with seawater."
The news of Vibrio vulnificus caused a scare, though, on social media.
State officials issued a
statement on Friday, declaring the waters off Florida safe and saying beach-goers should not worry about the disease if they act responsibly, such as covering open wounds.
"This week, several media outlets published stories that contained inaccuracies about the safety of Florida's beach water related to cases of Vibrio vulnificus infections," said the health department. "Florida's beaches and water are safe to enjoy responsibly – risk of infection is minimal if you take proper precautions."
"Eating raw shellfish is usually how the virus gets into the body,"
said Dan Taylor of State Column.com. "Unfortunately, eating oysters is a popular pastime for beach-goers, and since oysters are often served raw, they are a convenience vehicle for the bacteria. And the bacteria doesn't show signs of its presence: there is no change to the appearance, odor, or taste of the oysters."
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