Study: Hurricane Ian unleashed flesh-eating bacteria into southwest Florida waters

Researchers used DNA samples and findings to conclude the presence of two particularly concerning species in coastal waters: Vibrio parahaemolyticus and Vibrio vulnificus.

A Journal mBio study confirmed Hurricane Ian unleashed various Vibrio bacteria that can cause illness and death in humans.

The study, conducted in October 2022 by scientists from the University of Florida and University of Maryland, was based on data and samples gathered off the coast of Lee County, where Ian made landfall as a Category 4 storm in September 2022.

The researchers from UF’s Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering, UF’s College of Medicine and the University of Maryland Institute for Advanced Computer Studies used DNA samples and findings to conclude the presence of two particularly concerning species in Florida coastal waters: Vibrio parahaemolyticus and Vibrio vulnificus.

“We were very surprised to be able to detect, without any difficulty, the presence of these pathogens,” Rita Colwell, the study’s senior author, said in a University of Maryland press release.

According to a UF press release and Vibrio experts, these DNA samples revealed the presence of Vibrio parahaemolyticus and Vibrio vulnificus bacteria.

The species of Vibrio live in warm saltwater and grow rapidly during times of hurricanes, floods and storm surges, according to the press release.