logo
    • News
    • Classifieds
    • Free Subscription
    • Book Store
    • Submit
      • Submit a Classified Ad
      • Submit an Educational Announcement
      • Submit a letter to The Editor
    • Past Issues
    • Regional Trade Shows
    • Testimonials
    • Contact
    • News
    • Classifieds
    • Free Subscription
    • Book Store
    • Submit
      • Submit a Classified Ad
      • Submit an Educational Announcement
      • Submit a letter to The Editor
    • Past Issues
    • Regional Trade Shows
    • Testimonials
    • Contact
Waterborne bacteria invades Florida waters
News
October 31, 2022
Waterborne bacteria invades Florida waters

By some estimates, Hurricane Ian has been ranked among the worst natural disasters in U.S. history.

The hurricane made landfall in Florida on September 28th as a powerful Category 4 storm. Maximum sustained winds were around 150 mph as it hit the southwest coast at the island of Cayo Costa near Fort Myers and Cape Coral. Within four days more than 2.5 million residents were without power. Wind and storm surges resulted in the deaths of 127 people in Florida alone (with three people currently missing) and an estimated financial cost that spans a conservative $60 billion to a whopping $258 billion.

Death tolls and sickness continue to rise, however, through Hurricanerelated accidents and diseases such as Vibrio, otherwise known as the flesh-eating bacteria.

Shortly after Ian made landfall, the Florida Department of Health offered the prophetic warning: “Flood waters and standing waters following a hurricane pose many risks, including infectious diseases such as Vibrio vulnificus. For that reason, the Florida Department of Health in Lee County is urging the public to take precautions against infection and illness caused by Vibrio vulnificus.”

Indeed, after the hurricane slammed into Lee County, it left in its wake a surge of these rare waterborne bacterial infections, state health data has shown.

The bacteria is found in warm, brackish water such as in estuaries, salt marshes, and points where rivers meet oceans. It can enter the body through broken skin or small cuts and can lead to organ failure and possible death. Before the hurricane struck, 37 cases of Vibrio had been reported for the year, but shortly after the storm, that number shot up to 65 reported infections, 11 of whom have died.

The Lee County residents who were infected by Vibrio after the storm did so through “exposure to Hurricane Ian flood waters that occurred from the storm surge entering their homes or during poststorm clean-up,” Florida Department of Health spokesperson Tammy Soliz told CNN.

And Vibrio is not the only contaminant brought by flood waters, though it is probably the worst. As clean-up efforts continue, at press time, the Florida Department of Health in Lee County is warning against swimming in any recreational water: “The Florida Department of Health in Lee County (DOH-Lee) has issued a countywide precautionary swim advisory for all public beaches and swimming pools and advising the public not to enter the water due to the possible increase of waterborne illnesses.

The water quality has been affected by Hurricane Ian and at this time, swimming is not recommended.

A significant amount of debris remains on area beaches, including debris buried under shallow sand and not immediately visible. It may be extremely dangerous. Recreational visits to area beaches are not recommended.”

An earlier email from the Florida Department of Health was a little more explicit, stating, “Floodwater may contain fecal matter from sewage systems and septic tanks, in addition to agricultural and industrial waste.”

Calusa Waterkeeper and water quality expert John Cassani said the public should avoid going into the water until conditions improve.

“We’re trying to coordinate a fecal bacteria contamination program to monitor all the sewage spills and we’re trying to understand what the risk is now,” Cassani said during the week following the hurricane.

Basically, pools and spas exposed to flood waters contain raw sewage and industrial chemicals and should be cleaned by service professionals.

At press time, at least five of Lee County’s nine public pools were closed to the public due to the impacts of Hurricane Ian.

Damaged Ft. Myers Pool 6 feet above parking lot Photo Credit: Jeffrey Murphy

LATEST NEWS
Body found in backyard swimming pool
News
Body found in backyard swimming pool
A Suffolk County, NY police detective discovered a body in his swimming pool
June 14, 2025
A Long Island, New York, homeowner and his son discovered a body this May while opening their backyard swimming pool for the season. The body is belie...
this is a test
News
Need to raise prices? Read how to do it
June 14, 2025
This years’ Service Industry News survey revealed an interesting trend: Pool and spa small business owners have raised their average monthly prices. A...
this is a test
Florida pool builder sentenced to 20 years
News
Florida pool builder sentenced to 20 years
June 14, 2025
A Florida pool and spa builder has been sentenced to prison for defrauding customers. According to a press release from the Florida Attorney General’s...
this is a test
Las Vegas hotels discover Legionella in water
News
Las Vegas hotels discover Legionella in water
June 14, 2025
For many American families, the summer months signal a time for vacation. That’s why health departments are sounding the alarm about a hidden health t...
this is a test
News
Todrain,ornottodrain, that is the question
June 14, 2025
The state of Montana has enacted a new regulatory change concerning hot tub maintenance for short-term rentals that is expected to save the state mill...
this is a test
Minnesota struggles with backyard spas:  Public or private?
News
Minnesota struggles with backyard spas: Public or private?
June 14, 2025
When are residential pools, spas, or hot tubs actually public pools, spas, or hot tubs? It sounds like a riddle, but it’s a real question up for debat...
this is a test
Read Our Newsletter
ePaper
coogle_play
app_store
Free Subscription
View Current Print Ads
Educational Announcements
Aquatic Training Institute

Educational Leverage

Foundation For Pool Industry Education

Locey Pool

Pool Chemistry Training Institute

Pool & Hot Tub Alliance

Portofino University

Underwater Pool Masters
Trade Show Dates
  • The International Pool Spa Patio Expo
    Nov. 12-14, Dallas, Texas
  • The Pool and Spa Show
    Jan. 28-30, Atlantic City, New Jersey
  • 35th Annual National Plasterers Conference
    Feb. 26-28, Lake Buena Vista, Florida
  • The Southwest Pool and Spa Show
    Feb. 4-8, Houston, Texas
  • The Western Pool and Spa Show
    Feb. 6-8, Long Beach, California
Books to Order
About Us Terms of Use Privacy Policy
We use cookies to ensure that our website gives you the best experience possible. By continuing to use this website, you agree to this use of cookies.OK