Deadly flesh eating bacteria on the rise in the Delaware Bay

REHOBOTH BEACH, Del. – A new report says that a flesh eating bacteria is on the rise in the Delaware Bay, and now officials in the first state are warning people to think twice before they jump in the water.

“This is particularly concerning lately with more cases being reported,” said Executive Director for the  Delaware Center for the Inland Bays, Chris Bason.

With temperatures rising in the Delaware Bay a flesh eating bacteria known as vibrio vulnificus is thriving.

As waters warm up here, we’re seeing it more frequently. So people are now coming into contact with it, where in the past, they haven’t,” said Bason.

According to a new report published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, between 2017 and 2018 five people have already been treated for the life threatening infection. All sharing a connection with the Delaware Bay. But before then, doctors noted that they had only been aware of one case of vibiro in the last eight years.

“It would start as a skin infection. You can expect to see redness and it might spread and spread fast. You might also have some fevers and chills. It’s very fast acting, and it can be very dangerous and it does kill people,” said Clinical Qualities Specialist for the Emergency Department at PRMC, Gail Lemay.

Now, health officials want people here on the shore to take extra precautions.

“If you have an open wound, don’t go into the bay that day. If you do get a cut when you’re in the bay, maybe you step on a mussel shell or something, you want to get out of the water immediately, wash it out real good with soapy water and keep an eye on it,” said Bason.

“If you eat raw seafood especially oysters you can get a stomach bug,” said Lemay.

Officials add that while the infection is rare, it’s critical that you take extra precaution before going in the water, which could ultimately save your life.