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Flesh eating illness warning for beach lovers

The Vibrio bacteria is nasty.

The flesh-eating bug kills nearly 50% of the people who contract it and is especially dangerous for anyone with immune system issues.

Now beach goers all over Florida are being warned about the illness.

Florida Today reports the bacteria loves warm, salty water, making the sunshine state a thriving location.

Vibrio isn’t new to the area.

Research shows close to 100 people a year are killed by the bacteria with 11 of those deaths in Florida last year. But other beach states such as Texas, Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, and even some  in the east can feel the effect.

New Times reports there are several ways to acquire the illness. "A person can contract the virus by eating tainted raw shellfish and oysters," a Florida health worker pointed out. "And people who swim in seawater who have open wounds are also vulnerable to the bacteria."

Gawker reports the symptoms begin with fever and chills, followed by skin lesions. Scientists worry there will be more cases of Vibrio bacteria if oceans continue to get warmer.

More here.

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