A flesh-eating bacteria that kills around 20% of those it affects is turning up in US waters, and swimmers are being warned to be aware of potential symptoms.
The bacteria – Vibrio vulnificus – has been detected in coastal waters across large swathes of the US coastline this summer. The CDC warns that it’s “often found” where rivers meet the ocean and can cause a condition known as vibrosis that can lead to necrotizing fasciitis and death.
