Vibrio vulnificus
PENSACOLA, Fla. -- An Alabama man is battling a case of Vibrio vulnificus Wednesday, often called the "flesh eating bacteria," after coming in contact with it in Little Sabine Bay on Pensacola Beach earlier this month.
The man's son says his dad was in contact with the bacteria on July 9 while watching the Blue Angels in Little Sabine Bay at Pensacola Beach.
The man's family believes 75-year-old William Pledger contracted the flesh eating bacteria in the bay, which caused him to have his lower left leg was amputated several days later.
Pledger's son, John Patrick Pledger, said they travel to Pensacola every year to see the Blues.
"Got in the water," John said. "At some point the whole family was in the water."
Five days later, Pledger's leg began to get sore. By Friday morning, things took a turn for the worse.
"In severe pain, could not sit still, his leg had started swelling up," John said.
Pledger's wife took him to the Mobile Infirmary Hospital. He was diagnosed with the flesh eating bacteria Vibrio vulnificus.
Pledger's left leg was in bad shape.
"Everything from soft tissue from the knee down was destroyed," John said.
Pledger's leg was amputated from the knee down.
Earlier this month, the Department of Public Health in Escambia County issued a public health warning about Vibrio in area waters. They urged people who have cuts not to go in the water.
Pledger's family said he was nursing a cut on his left leg.
"He had a small cut on his left leg, it was scabbed over, didn't look too bad," John said. "It was very small."
Pledger's family say he wasn't in any other body of water besides the bay on Pensacola Beach.
"It was very emotional watching my dad go through all this," John said.
Vibrio symptoms include vomiting, abdominal pain and blistering.
This year, there's been one reported case of Vibrio in Escambia County. Last year, there were 11.
"Take care of yourself stay out of the water," John said. "It's just a bad deal."
Family says Pledger has a long road of recovery. He still has the bacteria in his system.
They suspect he will be hospitalized for months.
UPDATE:
A 75-year-old Mobile man has died after contracting the “flesh-eating bacteria” vibrio in the waters off Pensacola Beach, and his family hopes the incident will raise awareness of the life-threatening infection… His leg had to be amputated and he remained in critical condition until he died from the infection Friday, according to Pledger’s daughter-in-law Crystal McCreight-Pledger.
Vibrio vulnificus Fact Sheet (PDF)
This disease can be contracted either by ingesting the bacteria, such as eating raw shellfish, or by open wound contamination—such as in the case above. Once the symptoms appear, rapid and radical treatment is necessary to save the life of the victim.
Be alert, be careful.
/fl