"Floodwater often contains pollutants and pathogens that can sicken and kill people in the aftermath of a storm."
"Hurricane Ian hit Florida as category 4 storm in late September, bringing torrential rains and a storm surge that left much of coastal and central Florida underwater. But while the immediate dangers involved drowning and injuries, an invisible threat would soon sicken some people who came in contact with the water: flesh-eating bacteria.
After the storm, coastal Florida saw a spike in infections by Vibrio vulnificus, a flesh-eating bacteria. People often catch it from uncooked seafood, but it can also live in warm, brackish water. According to the Florida Department of Health’s website, the state has seen 64 confirmed cases of flesh-eating bacteria infections so far this year, with 11 deaths. That’s almost double the cases reported in all of 2021. Lee County, which contains hard-hit Fort Myers, alone has confirmed a whopping 28 cases and four deaths as of October 21.
Flesh-eating bacteria is just one of several health risks that come with floodwaters. Inundated streets, roads, and homes become covered by polluted water that threatens residents and emergency responders. Gastrointestinal illnesses and skin infections often spike after flooding events."
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