With the saltwater fishing scene fairly slow, I would like to remind you of the deadly disease called VIBRIO. Recently an angler in Texas lost a good friend in Louisiana due to the flesh eating disease. Pay attention to ANY cuts, sores,etc., that you may already have on your body. Even a fish fin puncture can allow the bacteria to enter your body. You may want to carry a bit of Clorox in a spray bottle just in case you get a scrape. If this area starts turning black, seek medical attention and fast. Areas with slow moving tides can hold this bacteria...even at a boat ramp.You may want to Google this disease for more info. Beware..there may be some very gruesome pictures available. Stay Safe all.....

Great reminder V-Bottom. The bacteria also lives in stagnant freshwater ponds and lakes as well, and in most cases that I've heard of, it enters though the nose when you dive or swim underwater and goes straight to the brain.

V-Bottom excellent post. I don't know about others, but I find it almost impossible to fish at the coast without a cut, sore, or open wound. If I don't have one when I start, I get one while I am fishing. This can be a very serious issue. On one trip I got poked with a ribbonfish tooth and contracted cellutlitis (fortunately the non-flesh eating kind), but I ended up staying in the hospital for 4 days. If you get swelling, tissue loss, or a fever after fishing at the coast go to a doctor immediately. Early signs of Vibrio vulnificus can include swelling, watery diarrhea, stomach cramping, nausea, and vomiting. The infection has a mortality rate between 25% and 50%, if sepsis is allowed to establish. Most of the people die within the first 48 hours. Very few contract the bacteria, but if you do it is serious.

I carry a bottle of Hydrogen Peroxide with me in the boat. Everyone gets a thorough wash down with it after a wade. Vibrio is just a nasty bug, but a little bit of prevention will keep it at bay.

That is some scary and dangerous stuff, especially if your immune system is compromised somewhat.

This site is suppose to help monitor

https://cgis.glo.texas.gov/Beachwatch/#loc=98

Glad you posted this V Bottom.

Some folks new to the coastal area may not be aware of how bad this can really get in a hurry.
I think it is also under reported by the CDC and others at least for the Gulf Coast region.
Just don't take it lightly if you experience any of the symptoms shortly after being in brackish water.

Friend of mine down the street got it on his leg about 8 years ago. It dang near ate it completely off. He's better these days but his 24' catamaran has not left his driveway since he got infected.

Really really good post. I forget how dangerous bacteria can be.
Tim

I carry a 10 day supply of Cipro (500MG twice a day) on board my boat...Any cut or scrape that looks red or suspicious in any way I start taking them...Pic of wound texted to my Doc

People don’t thing about freshwater but my brother caught it on the Angelina River above Rayburn. Fortunately he recognized it quickly and got to hospital but he was only about a day from losing his leg and maybe worse.

Don’t try to be tough and take care of it yourself. GET TO A HOSPITAL!

Looks like it getting more prevalent in freshwater now. Officials suggest wearing nose clips in warm weather months. Parasite is 97% fatal.

https://www.insider.com/rise-of-bra...source=yahoo.com&utm_medium=referral

We use a mix of hibeclense/bleach/peroxide. Don’t hesitate, go see a Dr. immediately even if you think it’s not that bad. My cousin lost a good friend of hers last year from Brazoria.