Health officials in Connecticut are
warning about a flesh-eating bacteria in
Long Island Sound after five people were infected over two months.
Garden City dermatologist Dr. Theodore Daly says the infection can
be deadly and can enter through open wounds from recent surgeries or fresh
tattoos.
He says it's
accompanied by a fever, redness then swelling and pain.
The only remedy is
surgery and antibiotics. He says it's concerning, considering that
there have been seven cases in 10 years in comparison.
Adrienne Esposito, of the Citizens
Campaign for the Environment, says the bacteria had made its way northeast due
to climate change.
She says that since the waters will
start to cool down, cases might be on the
decline.
The CDC warns
anyone with open wounds, including those from recent surgery, piercing or
tattoos, to stay out of Long Island Sound.