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Swimmer at Massachusetts Beach Infected with Extremely Rare Bacteria
Officials warn that 71 Vibrio infections have been reported in Massachusetts this year, with 30% requiring hospitalization; swimming with open wounds increases infection risk.
- On August 13, 2025, local and state health officials confirmed a rare Vibrio vulnificus infection in an older individual with an exposed wound at Old Silver Beach, Falmouth.
- Recent studies show Vibrio vulnificus cases are rising in the Northeast amid warming ocean temperatures, with peak season from May through October.
- According to the CDC, about 20% of patients die, and some infections can lead to necrotizing fasciitis, requiring seven-day monitoring of exposed wounds.
- Despite no advisory, Barnstable County investigators urged people with wounds to take precautions around coastal waters and handle raw seafood cautiously, as a rare bacterial infection was confirmed.
- Amid climate change, Louisiana reported 17 Vibrio vulnificus cases and four deaths by July 30, indicating rising infections in northern regions.
11 Articles
11 Articles
Bacteria that can cause flesh-eating disease found in swimmer
By Jamy Pombo Sesselman Click here for updates on this story BOURNE, Massachusetts (WCVB) — The Massachusetts Department of Public Health is warning residents and visitors about a dangerous bacterium that can cause a flesh-eating disease in a person who was swimming at a Cape Cod beach. A rare case of Vibrio vulnificus infection — a dangerous bacterium more commonly found in Gulf Coast states — was detected in a person who swam at a beach on…
Falmouth swimmer confirmed to have contracted flesh-eating bacteria
FALMOUTH, Mass. (WLNE) — A swimmer at Old Silver Beach in Falmouth was infected with a flesh-eating bacteria August 8, according to the town of Falmouth. The swimmer, described as an older individual with an exposed wound, was confirmed to have contracted a Vibrio vulnificus infection, which is considered extremely rare in Massachusetts. The infection was immediately investigated by Barnstable County disease case investigators and no advisory or…
Department of Health issue warning after confirmed case of rare bacteria from Falmouth beach
Health officials in Falmouth have confirmed a rare case of Vibrio vulnificus infection in an older individual who was swimming with an exposed wound at Old Silver Beach.
The Sun (Lowell)
Boston HeraldSwimmer at Massachusetts beach infected with extremely rare bacteria
A swimmer at a Cape Cod beach has been infected with an extremely rare bacteria, according to officials who are alerting the public about the potentially life-threatening illness.
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