Scientific American:“Flesh Eating” Bacteria May Be Spreading to Beaches Once Thought Off-Limits

V. vulnificus, known as the ‘flesh-eating bacteria,’ has been spreading into territory previously thought inhabitable for these organisms. These bacteria need warmer water to survive and due to climate change, they are traveling farther north than ever before. There are two ways that people can become infected with the bacteria: through ingesting contaminated seafood and having an open wound that comes into contact with the bacteria in the ocean. For some that become infected, the bacteria can cause necrotizing fasciitis, which quickly destroys skin and muscle tissue. To reduce the chance of infection, the CDC recommends using waterproof bandages on open wounds when swimming in the ocean and limiting consumption of raw or undercooked shellfish.