Researchers have issued a serious warning for Long Island residents as evidence grows that flesh-eating bacteria are lurking in local waters. According to a report by the NY Post, Dr. Christopher Gobler, a professor and ecologist in the School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences at Stony brook University, recently announced that his team has identified several hotspots where the bacteria are present.
“Bacteria known as vibrio vulnificus, also known by the [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention] as a flesh-eating bacteria, is present and a risk in our waters,” Gobler told reporters. He emphasized the gravity of the situation by noting, “It’s a very, very serious infection, it gets into open wounds — people who are infected with this bacteria have a 20% chance of dying within just 48 hours.”
