Hot search! 2-year-old boy faces amputation, just because he went to the vegetable market? Doctors urgently remind →

Recently, the topic #2-year-old child infected with Vibrio vulnificus faces amputation# has become a hot search, attracting people's attention

A 2-year-old boy from Zhuhai, Guangdong, came into contact with fish when he went to the vegetable market with his grandmother. He was subsequently infected with Vibrio vulnificus and was admitted to the ICU. Doctors said the boy's right foot might have to be amputated.

Image source: Time Video

What is Vibrio vulnificus?

Vibrio vulnificus belongs to the Vibrio family, is a Gram-negative bacterium, and is the pathogenic Vibrio with the highest mortality rate.

Vibrio vulnificus under a microscope. Image source: Peking Union Medical College Hospital

It is widely distributed in the world's river-sea boundary waters, nearshore waters, bays and seabed sediments with higher water temperatures, and often parasitizes on shellfish and other marine organisms, such as fish, shrimp, oysters, clams, etc.

❗❗Infection route

Infection through skin wounds;

Infection is acquired by eating seafood that contains marine bacteria.

❗❗Susceptible population

What are the symptoms of infection?

Vibrio vulnificus is highly toxic, with an average incubation period of 24 hours. About 50% to 70% of patients will experience local skin swelling and obvious pain within one or two days, and the skin around the wound or at the end of the infected limb will turn black and purple with blisters.

Infected people often have symptoms such as fever, abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting, and hypotension. The disease progresses rapidly. If not treated in time, severe cases may develop into muscle necrosis and sepsis, and even risk amputation and multiple organ failure.

How to avoid infection with Vibrio vulnificus?

❗Eat less raw or cold seafood, and try to cook seafood before eating.

❗ Avoid getting injured in seawater or exposing existing skin wounds to seawater.

❗ It is best to wear gloves when washing seafood. Once you are stabbed by crab legs, shrimp spines, etc., rinse the wound with clean water in time and disinfect it with alcohol.

❗ Avoid exposing open wounds or broken skin to warm, salty waters or waters where shellfish are harvested.

How to deal with infection?

If you experience symptoms such as skin pain, itching, swelling, diarrhea, and fever, you should seek medical attention immediately and inform your doctor of any recent history of contact with seawater or seafood to avoid delays in diagnosis and treatment.

Vibrio vulnificus is halophilic. Do not use saline or sprinkle salt on the wound to avoid aggravating the infection.

Be careful when visiting the beach

In addition to Vibrio vulnificus, marine pathogenic bacteria such as Vibrio parahaemolyticus and Aeromonas can also cause similar symptoms.

If you go to the beach and come into contact with sea water, eat seafood, or are pricked by seafood or sharp rocks in the sea, and develop symptoms such as skin redness, swelling, heat, pain, nausea and vomiting, seek medical attention immediately.

Be careful when handling seafood such as shrimp, crab and shellfish

There have been deaths recently!

Someone lost a finger to a tilapia

In July 2023, a man in Shenzhen, Guangdong accidentally had his finger pierced by a tilapia bone. He did not seek medical treatment until he felt unwell. At this time, more than 40 hours had passed since he was injured!

The doctor found that the man's middle finger was black, the joint near the palm was swollen, and the whole hand was red and swollen. What's more dangerous is that the man also suffered from septic shock.

In order to save the man's life, doctors had to amputate the necrotic finger.

After examination, the doctor confirmed that the man was infected with Vibrio vulnificus.

Macau recently reported a death from Vibrio vulnificus

On April 20, 2024, the Macau Health Bureau received a report of a case of Vibrio vulnificus infection.

It is reported that the patient is a 62-year-old male resident of Macau with a history of alcoholic cirrhosis. On April 15, he went to the emergency department of the Conde S. Januario Hospital for treatment due to fever, abdominal pain and diarrhea for half a day and was hospitalized for treatment. Physical examination showed no obvious wounds. On the 16th, his condition worsened and he showed symptoms of shock. He was later transferred to the intensive care unit for further treatment. Blood culture showed Vibrio vulnificus. On the 17th, his condition worsened and he died. He was diagnosed with Vibrio vulnificus and septic shock.

The patient's family members did not have similar symptoms. The patient had prepared and eaten seafood at home before falling ill. The family members said they were unable to confirm whether the seafood was thoroughly cooked.

The weather is getting hotter and the holidays are approaching

Here is a reminder for everyone

When handling seafood or visiting the beach

Beware of "deadly" bacteria

Planning and production

Source: People's Daily Online Science Comprehensive Liaoning Evening News, Time Video, Henan CDC, National Emergency Broadcasting, CCTV News, China National Radio, etc.

Review | Tang Qin, Chief Researcher, Science Popularization Department, Chinese Medical Association

Editor: Yang Yaping

Proofread by Xu Lailinlin