Beach-goers feeling a little jumpy about dipping their toes into shark-rich waters along the US coast this summer should be aware of much smaller dangers dwelling in the sea, marine biologists have warned. We all know about the deadly sting of a jellyfish or the flesh-tearing teeth of Jaws but people should also be on red alert for dangerous bacteria. These are threats you can't see - some of which eat the body from the inside out.
They lurk at microscopic level in oceans, rivers, lakes and in sand. When one enters the body, usually through an open cut or by accidentally being swallowed, the effects can be extreme. Nausea and diarrhea if you are lucky and lethal sepsis, amputation, coma and death in the worst cases.
A warming climate means the threat of these nasties is now spreading across the country. Traditionally they were contained in swamps and river states in the Southeast and Gulf of Mexico. But over the past few years deadly, flesh-devouring bacteria, such as vibrio vulnificus, have been detected at beaches up and down the Eastern seaboard.
Staphylococcus aureus is another surviving for longer periods and expanding its range. So before you next walk barefoot on the sand without covering that small scratch you might want to read the Mirror's helpful guide to water-dwelling killers below. V.
vulnificus: Not only is it difficult to pronounce but this pathogen causes necrotizing fasciitis – just about the worst flesh-rotting disease you could encounter. People with ope.
