Why it matters: The CDC said extreme weather events, such as recent Hurricane Idalia that struck Florida’s Big Bend region, can make the bacteria Vibrio vulnificus more prevalent in inland areas, increasing people’s risk of exposure.
- The bacteria thrive in warmer coastal sea surface temperatures, which are currently at record levels primarily due to human-caused climate change and the El Niño weather event.
What they’re saying: The CDC advised doctors to consider the bacteria as a possible cause of an infection, especially if a patient has been exposed to waters near the Gulf of Mexico or the East Coast.
Context: Vibrio vulnificus enters the human bodies through open wounds exposed to costal waters or from eating or contacting raw or undercooked seafood.
The big picture: Cases of Vibrio vulnificus infection have commonly been reported in Gulf Coast states, but they increased eightfold in East Coast states between 1988 and 2018.