Climate change is one of the most urgent global challenges the world is facing at the moment. Unfortunately, a recent natural phenomenon shows how this global change can do more than just altering global rainfall, snow, and evaporation. It can even do more harm in the environment and to the people than just by warming the waters, melting the ice, and worsening water and air pollution.
Just recently, experts learned how a "flesh-eating" bacteria is now spreading to even larger location than it used to be. Climate change is considered one of the culprits behind this.
In an article posted by Live Science, a "flesh-eating" bacteria has been found lurking along the waters of Delaware Bay, also contaminating every seafood in it. Just recently, around five cases of flesh-eating bacteria infection were reported. Victims were said to be exposed to contaminated seafood and water.
Situated between New Jersey and Delaware, the body of water wasn't infested with such bacteria before. The "flesh-eating" bacteria known in the medical field as Vibrio vulnificus, prefer a much warmer environment that's why infestation in Delaware Bay is indeed quite rare.
"It usually starts off as a cut that progressively becomes swollen and red and painful," explains Dr. Katherine Doktor, co-author of the report and an infectious disease specialist at Cooper University Hospital in New Jersey. The expert further explains that as the cut worsens, swelling, and red blisters would start to develop. This can lead to necrotizing fasciitis, wherein the "flesh-eating" bacteria will consume the soft muscles and tissues of the skin. Furthermore, Doktor shares with TIME, this health situation can be fatal if left untreated.
With the use of several antibiotics and by performing emergency surgery to remove the infected skin, four out of five victims of the "flesh-eating" bacteria were saved and are currently stable. Unfortunately, one of them has died.
Despite the risks, Doktor says there is still no need to avoid going to the beach because of this bacteria. The only thing that people should want to do is to be extra cautious, especially while enjoying these bodies of water.
Having cuts while you are at the beach is quite inevitable, especially while doing some sports activities. But if the cut doesn't seem to get better, the health expert advice is to make sure see a doctor and let your wound get examined. It is better to be cautious and ready than to be sorry in the end.
