Calvert County Health Department

Vibrio ("Flesh-Eating Bacteria") Infections

There have been incorrect reports of recent "flesh-eating" bacterial infections in Calvert County. There have been no cases of Vibiro infections in 2018. However, the potential for Vibrio bacterial infections are a concern every year because these bacteria are native to tidal waters (rivers, creeks, and bays) all along the east coast. Vibrio becomes a risk as the weather gets warmer. Most infections in Maryland occur between May and October.

Vibrio can cause severe illness either through eating raw or undercooked seafood or from direct exposure of an open cut to tidal water. There are close to 80,000 cases of food poisoning in the U.S. each year due to Vibrio. Infections through cuts are much less common, but are more likely to be deadly. Each year, close to 100 people in the U.S. die from Vibrio infections. Many others end up with leg or arm amputations as a result of extensive tissue destruction by the bacteria.

Read more about Vibrio infections and how to protect yourself and your family using this link: https://www.calverthealth.org/healththreats/diseases/Vibrio.htm
Swimming and kayaking in the waters around Calvert are safe for most people. The same goes for eating local seafood. Taking a few basic precautions can prevent serious health risks.