31 in Fla. Infected by Bacteria in Salt Water

31 in Fla. Infected by Bacteria in Salt Water

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. October 11, 2013 (AP)
By TAMARA LUSH Associated Press
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State health department officials say 31 people across Florida have been infected this year by a potentially deadly, yet common bacteria that lives in salt water — and 10 of those people have died.

But experts say the vast majority of people aren't at risk of contracting vibrio vulnificus (vih-BREE'-oh VUHL'-nihf-ih-kus), which lives in warm salt water.

Vibrio is contracted one of two ways: by eating tainted shellfish or when an open wound comes in contact with bacteria in warm seawater.

Dr. James Oliver, a Vibrio expert and a University of North Carolina professor, says most of the people who die from the disease have compromised immune systems.

http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/wireStory/31-fla-infected-bacteria-salt-water-20543576