United States: In the latest news, the district health officials of Galveston County are sounding alarms following an uptick in Vibrio bacteria cases from Galveston Beach in southeast Texas.
More about the news
As per the reports, Vibrio bacteria are usually found in marine environments, posing a risk of causing several kinds of sicknesses.
The cases reported from Galveston Beach involve the bacterial strain called Vibrio vulnificus, which tends to cause wound infections potentially enough to become fatal, as per the GCHD reports.
Further, other incidents depicted the presence of bacteria that mainly causes sea food infections like Vibrio parahaemolyticus which causes diarrhea and vomiting and Vibrio cholera causes cholera.
What more are the experts cautioning about?
According to Dr. Phillip Keiser, the Local Health Authority and CEO of the GCHD, “While Vibrio bacteria can be present in Galveston waters, there’s no need to panic,” as Fox Weather News reported.
“Use common sense: avoid raw seafood, practice good hygiene, and stay informed to keep safe,” Keiser said.
As per the expert’s report, there are certain recommendations to avoid sickness from Vibrio bacteria:
- Avoid raw or undercooked seafood, especially from areas of Vibrio outbreaks.
- Abide by proper hygiene, such as washing hands, especially after handling seafood.
- Properly cover the cuts or wounds to avoid exposure to seawater.
- Stay updated with the local health advisories.
As the experts report, people are advised to seek medical attention immediately after experiencing symptoms that match those of a Vibrio infection.
Additionally, the authorities have said that they are investigating the source of the spread of the infection and have cautioned against the public regarding the summer activities inside the potentially contaminated water.