Well being dept. points flesh-eating micro organism warning, tells folks to keep away from contact with floodwaters throughout Hurricane Milton

The Florida Division of Well being is urging people to avoid coming into contact with floodwaters introduced by Hurricane Milton, warning they might be contaminated with a type of flesh-eating micro organism referred to as Vibrio.

“Vibriobacteria, generally present in heat coastal waters, could cause sickness when ingested or when open wounds are uncovered to contaminated water. After heavy rainfall and flooding, the focus of those micro organism might rise, notably in brackish and saltwater environments,” the division mentioned.

The well being division mentioned residents and guests ought to keep away from pores and skin contact with floodwaters, notably those that have any open wounds. Those that come into bodily contact with the water ought to wash their palms with cleaning soap and clear water for 20 seconds to keep away from doable an infection.

Hurricane Milton is ready to make landfall on the west coast of Florida as a Class 4 hurricane someday late Wednesday night. Greater than 5.5 million residents alongside the coast have been directed to depart the world, in one of many greatest evacuations within the historical past of the state.