‘Flesh-eating’ bacteria detected in seaweed invading Florida shorelines

The presence of seaweed at the beach is a normal occurrence. This year’s influx, however, is alarming and, in Florida’s case, deadly.

Local Tampa Bay news station, WSTP, reported that the seaweed washing up in Florida could contain deadly flesh-eating bacteria.

The station quoted a study from Newsweek completed by researchers at Florida Atlantic University found that the sargassum and floating plastic inside can become filled with species of Vibrio bacteria – creating a “perfect pathogen storm.”

“The bacteria can readily cling to the surface of marine plastic debris, which accumulates in large volumes within the mass of seaweed,” reported Newsweek. The researchers noted that most of the vibrio bacteria found in the study existed on the plastics and other hazardous materials using the seaweed as a vehicle.

Vibrio bacteria are often associated with severe infections and even necrotizing fasciitis, leading to the bacteria being known as “flesh-eating.” The outlet added the bacteria could infect via “eating contaminated seafood, or through an open wound on someone’s flesh, usually from seawater.” Infected wounds can become necrotic, where the flesh itself dies and rots.

While dangerous in the water, sargassum can also wreak havoc on land. Once the dense seaweed hits the shore and dries, it releases toxins and gasses that can be harmful, especially if consumed in large quantities.

So where is it all coming from? Sargassum usually accumulates in the Sargasso Sea and is moved across the Gulf of Mexico and some parts of the Caribbean. A massive seaweed blob that stretches 5,000 miles long has been the test subject for the researchers.

Lately, several beaches have seen an increase in sargassum seaweed accumulating on shorelines. The Mexican Caribbean and surrounding areas have even had to create task forces to remove the algae from beaches not to disrupt tourist activity. In previous years, the Navy dispatched 2,000 members to Cancun to remove the slimy shrubbery from the beaches.

Trusted sources have provided maps to WSTP showing the seaweed traveling down the East Coast and settling into several areas in Florida. They mentioned large deposits around Key Largo and Key West. There has also been detection in Vero Beach, Fort Pierce, Port St. Lucie, Stuart, Jupiter and West Palm Beach.

Florida authorities have not issued any warnings to beach goers, but Newsweek states the researchers advise individuals with open wounds or cuts to be cautious when going into the water.

Martie Bowser is a journalist and public relations professional in Charlotte, NC. She enjoys amplifying the voices of POC and women that fill a void within their community. Her favorite things to cover include “person of interest” pieces, small business highlights, pop culture commentary, entertainment features, and everything about Beyoncé. Her bylines can be found in Blavity, Black Excellence, Signature Bride, Black Wall Street Times, and HipHop Weekly. Martie can be reached via email at martiebowser@detourxp.com.