Vibrio and Other 'Nasties'

Yet another reason to stay away from Alabama's Gulf Coast. As if the swarms of killer shark attacks and massive death toll from Zika weren't enough to keep people away. According to the CBS, Alabama has about 33 cases per year compared to 80,000 cases in the entire US. That translates to 0.0004125%. Stay away!

Flesh-eating bacteria warning issued in Alabama

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Originally Posted by rabidawise

The honest question is has this always been present, or is this a man-made phenomenon? And even if it is a man-made phenomeon, is it avoidable? I've been on the coast almost every year since i was born, and I'm 34. If this is a significant risk, what can/should we do to prevent it?

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Hard to say. It's been identified since the late 1970s. IMHO, a lot of it has to do with having more people with immune problems surviving diabetes or whatever else, and making them susceptible. It's not really avoidable, as it exists in most warm salt or brackish water in the U.S. If you have an immune problem, worry about it. Otherwise, just make sure you disinfect any wounds that get in salt water.

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Originally Posted by pokenfish

I have a question then, my kids have cuts that they got at home, normal cuts that boys get, the cuts were treated and scabbed over is it safe for them to go in. Also, I was always told it was in areas of still water, like back bays, not the ocean front, that you had this organism. Thanks

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If they have any kind of immune problem (diabetes, or other major disease/syndrome), you might need to worry. But they are probably safe. I've lived on the Gulf Coast (Pensacola and Spanish Fort) since 1997, and I haven't heard about any healthy young person getting vibrio. It's usually older people with diabetes or liver/kidney problems. Watch any cuts, and if they start to get infected, take the kids to the Emergency room.

The healthiest among us are susceptible to major harm by vibrio. Fresh wounds that are deep, and puncture wounds have most often been the entry points. And generally, anyone wounded while actually walking in the water is most at risk.

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Originally Posted by Mattb

Stuff is nasty. Took over a year taking 2 antibiotics for my swelling in my finger to go down enough to put my wedding band back on after a tiny hardhead encounter.

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Matt, did they test and say that it was vibrio? I have a friend who has had two bad experiences also from catfish (one hardhead, one gafftop), but it was not vibrio, just the usual crud from catfish.

Vibrio fulminates and kills if it gets out of hand, catfish crud lingers and debilitates (in general, not guaranteed).

People need to handle those suckers with a little more respect.

The doctor assumed it was vibrio but never did a culture. Lots of marine infections, my goal is to avoid all. I use long pliers now rather than my fingers

I wear my surf shoes. They are old, leather-top Hush Puppies, salt cured, that I " ruined " on my honeymoon in '91. But I also fish barefoot some, just like any other dumb ash. Long nose pliers are always with me, shoes or no shoes.

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Originally Posted by bodebum

I wear my surf shoes. They are old, leather-top Hush Puppies, salt cured, that I " ruined " on my honeymoon in '91. But I also fish barefoot some, just like any other dumb ash. Long nose pliers are always with me, shoes or no shoes.

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I went end over end a couple of years ago when a big ray swam out from under my feet and I lost my balance. I'm still amazed that I didn't get stung. I always wear crocs or wading shoes now to fish or collect ghost shrimp.

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Originally Posted by bodebum

The healthiest among us are susceptible to major harm by vibrio. Fresh wounds that are deep, and puncture wounds have most often been the entry points. And generally, anyone wounded while actually walking in the water is most at risk.

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Read the news stories. I haven't heard of anybody that has been in the papers about vibrio infection that hasn't been an older person or had some kind of immune deficiency (and usually both). Young healthy people aren't getting the headline grabbing cases. They may still be getting it, but after treatment, it's not a problem.

My how things change. 50 + years ago our folks would encourage us to get in the gulf at Veterans Road to help "heal" cuts and scratches sooner. Bout the same time though the bay was questionable quality due to industry.