Warning North Carolina officials issue swimming advisories in three counties due to high bacteria
The North Carolina coast is experiencing an increase in Vibrio vulnificus cases, a bacteria that thrives in warm, brackish water.
State health officials are warning beachgoers about a flesh-eating bacteria that can be fatal in a matter of days if swimmers become infected with it.
There have been 59 Vibrio infections and one death in the state from the bacteria through Thursday, July 31, Hannah Jones, a press assistant for the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS), told The Charlotte Observer in an email.
According to the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality’s Recreational Water Quality Program, water samples showed monthly running averages of enterococci bacteria above the state and EPA safety limit of 35 per 100 milliliters.
High levels of bacteria in water can cause a range of illnesses, from mild gastrointestinal issues to more serious infections, especially for vulnerable individuals.
These illnesses can manifest as diarrhea, vomiting, skin rashes, ear or eye pain, and respiratory problems. High bacteria levels in recreational waters, like beaches and pools, can also lead to infections through swallowing contaminated water or through cuts and scrapes
- Exposure to bacteria like E. coli or Salmonella, which can be found in contaminated water.
- Vulnerable populations: Infants, young children, the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems are more susceptible to severe illness.
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