Officials said the cause was Vibrio Vulnificus, a seaborne bacteria that can infect humans who consume raw or undercooked shellfish, or those who swim in warmer, coastal waters with an open wound.
Although comparably rare — only about 150 to 200 such deaths are reported to the CDC annually, recent research conducted by Florida Atlantic University described “flesh eating” vibrio bacteria as “the dominant cause of death in humans from the marine environment.”
Floodwaters from Hurricane Idallia have also recently spread the bacteria throughout southern waters, alarming officials.
The thirtysomething — whose identity along with that of the restaurant he ate at are being shielded by local health officials — had the meal on Tuesday and was hospitalized two days later, succumbing to his illness by the weekend, according to reports.
The
man was said to have suffered from underlying health issues.
“He was taking some drugs that made him immunosuppressed,” said Dr. Philip Keiser of the Galveston County Health District, according to ABC 13. “He also had problems with his liver.”
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