Flesh-eating bacteria that could kill in 2 days found in Long Island waters: report

LONG ISLAND, NY – Health specialists are on alert after the invention of a extremely deadly flesh-eating bacteria that has a 20% mortality fee inside simply 48 hours.

What we all know:

Evidence of Vibrio vulnificus was not too long ago found throughout Long Island waters, in response to analysis from Stony Brook University. Some areas the place the flesh-eating bacteria have been reportedly detected embody Mecox Bay, Sagaponack Pond and Georgica Pond.

“It’s a very, very serious infection, it gets into open wounds,” mentioned Dr. Christopher Gobler, a professor and ecologist at Stony Brook University. “People who are infected with this bacteria have a 20% chance of dying within just 48 hours.”

Gobler mentioned nitrogen runoff from growing old cesspools and septic techniques is inflicting dangerous algae blooms, that are being exacerbated by local weather change and creating an ideal poisonous storm, in response to a report by the (*2*)

ANTRIM, NORTHERN IRELAND – JULY 31: Blue-green algae blooms are seen alongside the shoreline at Lough Shore Park on July 31, 2025 in Antrim, Northern Ireland. Blue-green algae, also referred to as cyanobacteria, has been confirmed in Lough Neagh, the UK’s largest

“If someone’s immunocompromised, or elderly, and they have open wounds in summer, you may want to stay out of the water,” he warned.

Dig deeper:

The presence of saxitoxin, a harmful marine biotoxin that causes paralytic shellfish poisoning, has additionally been detected in extra waters in East Quogue, Southold and Shinnecock Bay.

Eating a shellfish carrying this toxin could trigger vital sickness and even dying.

The backstory:

The Post stories that three individuals died from Vibrio infections after the lethal bacteria was first detected in the Long Island Sound in 2023. No different deaths have been reported since then.

What is Vibrio?

Vibrio are bacteria that naturally stay in sure coastal waters. The CDC says individuals can contract vibriosis by consuming uncooked or undercooked shellfish, or an open wound coming in contact with coastal water.

Vibrio vulnificus, a species of Vibrio, may cause extreme infections, which can result in necrotizing fasciitis and even dying for about 1 in 5 individuals.

What’s subsequent:

Specialists are exploring superior wastewater remedy strategies and aquaculture initiatives to fight declining water situations, in response to FOXNews.

What you are able to do:

Experts warn to be further cautious in the course of the summer season, as a result of these flesh-eating bacteria grow to be a significant public well being hazard when temperatures rise.