Flesh Eating Bacteria Confirmed – Man Fights For Life in Louisiana Hospital

(KMDL-FM) A Hancock County, Mississippi man is in a Slidell, Louisiana hospital this morning fighting what doctors have identified as Vibrio vulnificus; you and I are more familiar with that infection by the name "flesh-eating bacteria".

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The man reportedly contracted the flesh-eating bacteria after being exposed while fishing off Cat Island. Steve Wilson's wife, Amanda, explained to reporters that her husband said he was bitten by a horsefly early in the day but didn't think anything more about it.

That was until he was awakened very early the next day by severe pain in his right leg. The pain got so intense that Steve informed his wife, who happens to be a nurse. Amanda marked the size of the infected area so she could monitor its spread. After noticing the infection was in fact spreading, Amanda and Steve headed for Slidell Memorial Hospital.

How Common is Flesh-Eating Bacteria Along the Northern Gulf Coast?

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The case that we've described involving the Wilsons is not uncommon in the brackish waters of the northern Gulf Coast. The waters off of coastal Mississippi and Louisiana often have advisories for high levels of bacteria, especially during the summer months.

This is why it is so very important that those who might want to swim understand the dangers that you can't see. You can see the list of advisories for Louisiana Beaches on the Department of Health Website. And if you see advisories posted around a beach you want to swim, please heed the warnings.

READ MORE: Flesh-Eating Bacteria in the Gulf - It's Happened Before

In her conversation with reports Amanda Wilson said her husband did not get in the water on the day he was infected. The speculation is that he may have splashed some ocean water on his leg while he was cleaning fish blood from his boat. Yes, that's how little contact it can take for the bacteria to find a path to entry into your body.

It's important to know the symptoms and signs of a Vibrio Vulnificus infection:

In wounds, you will notice severe, rapid-spreading pain, redness, warmth, and swelling around the wound site. There could also be large, painful, fluid-filled blisters that form near the site and discolor the skin. You might also notice destruction in the surrounding tissue.

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This bacterium can also create infections in the bloodstream and can be introduced to your body via food consumption. That's why cleanliness and caution are always advised anytime you're near the beach. Especially beaches that have a history of high bacteria concentrations.

Graphic Photos Reveal Damage Done by Flesh-Eating Bacteria -NSFW

The Wilson family has been providing updates via their social media pages. If you'd like to see how Steve is doing, you can, but there are also some very graphic pictures that some of you might find unsettling. 

READ MORE: Dangerous Marine Life Reported at Gulf Coast Beaches

Mr. Wilson is still not out of the woods as far as his treatment is concerned. We wish him and his family the best, and we thank them for sharing their story with us, so we can present it to you as a cautionary tale.