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FORT MYERS, Fla. — Florida has seen a rise in instances of flesh-eating micro organism this yr pushed largely by a surge within the county hit hardest by Hurricane Ian.
The state Division of Well being stories that as of Friday there have been 65 instances of vibrio vulnificus infections and 11 deaths in Florida this yr. That compares with 34 instances and 10 deaths reported throughout all of 2021.
In Lee County, the place Ian stormed ashore final month, the well being division stories 29 instances this yr and 4 deaths.
Well being officers didn’t give a breakdown of how most of the instances have been earlier than or after Ian struck.
Lee County well being officers earlier this month warned folks that the post-hurricane atmosphere — together with heat, standing water — may pose a hazard from the doubtless lethal micro organism.
“Flood waters and standing waters following a hurricane pose many dangers, together with infectious illnesses equivalent to vibrio vulnificus,” the county well being division stated in a information launch Oct. 3 that urged the general public to take precautions.
The advisory stated that individuals with open wounds, cuts, or scratches could be uncovered to the micro organism by contact with sea water or brackish water. Individuals with open wounds ought to keep away from such water and search medical care instantly if an an infection is obvious.