A man from Chesterfield County Virginia had his leg amputated after becoming infected with flesh-eating bacteria while fishing in waters off the coast of Virginia Beach, according to the Richmond Times-Dispatch.
On June 11, Charles Ballard Sr., 60, cut his feet while fishing in the water. Mr. Ballard later experienced body aches, but he attributed the achiness to sunburn. Within three days, he was hospitalized at HCA Virginia's Chippenham Hospital in Richmond. Several days later, Mr. Ballard was diagnosed with a Vibrio vulnificus infection. Subsequently, his leg was removed to stop the spread of the necrotizing infection.
Vibrio vulnificus is one of roughly a dozen Vibrio species that cause the vibriosis illness in humans. Vibriosis symptoms include diarrhea, abdominal cramping, nausea, vomiting, fever and chills. A Vibrio infection can occur after eating raw seafood. The bacteria can also cause a necrotizing skin infection when an open wound is exposed to brackish or salty water where the bacteria live. Those with compromised immune systems are at greater risk of infection.
According to the CDC, vibriosis causes 80,000 illnesses and 100 fatalities annually in the U.S.
In June, two men battled Vibrio infections in Texas. While both lived, one lost his leg. Recently, a retired police officer from Philadelphia died as a result of a Vibrio infection.
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