A case of flesh eating bacteria has been confirmed in a 7-year-old Jacksonville girl.The girl reportedly contracted the Vibrio vulnificus infection through a cut on her foot when she was swimming in the St. Johns River.
Vibrio vulnificus bacteria is commonly found in some seafood and in warm, brackish water.
Charles Griggs with the Duval County Health Department says there are precautions you can take to minimize the risk of becoming infected.
“If you have an open wound, it may not be your day to go swimming in a river or in a lake," he said. "If you're in a restaurant or you're preparing your own meal make sure your shellfish is cooked properly.”
Griggs says Vibrio vulnificus bacteria is especially dangerous for people with compromised immune systems. As for the 7-year old Jacksonville girl, Griggs says she had a mild infection and has fully recovered.
Sarasota County has issued its own warnings about Vibrio vulnificus after one person died and another was sickened by the flesh eating bacteria. There have been 11 reported cases of Vibrio vulnificus so far this year in Florida. 41 cases were reported last year.
You can follow Cyd Hoskinson on Twitter @cydwjctnews.
