3 essential articles explaining rise of vibrio bacteria from The State archives
All three articles highlight the presence and danger of vibrio bacteria in the Carolinas. They mention its increasing spread due to climate changes and the impact on public health. They stress that vibrio infections often occur after exposure to coastal waters or consumption of raw seafood, with warnings about how the warming climate enables the bacteria to thrive.
In one article, Vibrio vulnificus is identified as a significant threat in North Carolina's coastal estuaries. The combination of warmer water temperatures and increased human water activities creates a 'perfect storm' for the bacteria's growth. Another article describes vibrio causing severe flesh infections and fatalities, emphasizing incidents like the case of a man who contracted the bacteria from a crabber's pinch. That same article mentions climate change-induced sea-level rise and temperature increases as factors enabling the bacteria to spread beyond typical environments. Finally, the last article discusses vibrio appearing far inland in places like the Waccamaw River, questioning traditional distribution patterns and highlighting the infections' potential rise as climate conditions shift. These articles were published as part of a 'Beyond the Beach' series, a project is a partnership of The News & Observer in Raleigh, North Carolina, The State in Columbia, South Carolina, Columbia Journalism School and the Center for Public Integrity.
Read articles below:
NO. 1: A FLESH-EATING BACTERIA LURKING IN THE OCEAN IS KILLING PEOPLE IN THE CAROLINAS
“You can get sick within just hours of exposure,” an infectious disease doctor said. “If you’re badly infected and particularly if you don’t seek medical care quickly enough, you can certainly be dead in a day or two.’’’ | Published October 20, 2020 | Read Full Story by Sammy Fretwell
NO. 2: WHAT IS VIBRIO? DEADLY FLESH-EATING BACTERIA MIGRATES TO ODD PLACE IN CAROLINA WATERS
The bacteria can strip the flesh off your arms and is expanding in the water along the Carolinas coast. And it’s become more resistant of antibiotics, which makes treatment of infections more difficult, an expert said. | Published October 20, 2020 | Read Full Story by Sammy Fretwell
NO. 3: VIBRIO 101: WHAT IS IT AND HOW CAN YOU PREVENT AN INFECTION?
Infections from vibrio are rarely fatal, but people should seek medical help if they suspect they have been exposed, DHHS says. | Published July 29, 2023 | Read Full Story by Andrea Tamayo
The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.