Warmer summers caused by climate change ‘spark sharp rise in deadly flesh-eating bugs

WARMER summers caused by climate change have caused a spike in the number of people infected with deadly 'flesh-eating bugs'.

The UK has basked through one of its warmest summers on records, with temperatures regularly exceeding 30C.

But as the mercury rises so too do cases of vibriosis, a type of "flesh-eating" bacteria that can cause flesh around a wound to rot.

The bacteria thrive in warm sea water and often infect shellfish that's eaten, including oysters.

Scientists warn that as climate changes causes sea temperatures to rise, vibriosis infections will become more common.

The bacteria isn't actually "flesh-eating" but if left untreated can cause necrotising fasciitis, a rare but serious bacterial infection that affects the tissue beneath the skin; and surrounding muscles and organs.

The bacteria doesn't actually eat the flesh, it releases toxins that damage the tissues, causing it to rot away.

It can spread in a matter of hours, even from a minor injury, and left untreated it can claim limbs, develop into sepsis and threaten your life.

There are more than 70 types of the bacteria, 12 of which infect humans, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention in the US.

"V. vulnificus is the one that causes the highest number of [deaths] and is often associated with wound infections," Kimberly Reece, a marine microbiologist at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science told Live Science.

"V. vulnificusis often called flesh-eating bacteria because when it infects a wound, it causes the skin and surrounding tissue to gruesomely break down and die."

The bacteria V. parahaemolyticus is more common, and often found in shellfish, but it is less deadly and doesn't have as devastating impact as V. vulnificus.

Those who eat the bacteria in infected shellfish usually end up with diarrhoea and vomiting rather than an infected wound.

But those with lower immune systems, like the young; the elderly; and those with underlying health conditions, can become seriously ill from both types of the bacteria.

According to the CDC 80 per cent of infections occur between May and October, when the weather is warmest.

Cases are only becoming more frequent as summers become longer and hotter.

Diagnoses of the bug increased by 80 per cent between 1996 and 2005, according to a recent US study.

Craig Baker-Austin, a marine microbiologist at the Centre for Environment Fisheries and Aquaculture Science UK, said we're "also seeing more extreme weather events, and those can play a big role" in how many cases of the bug we see.

But even though cases are rising "it's worth highlighting that they're very rare infections", he added.

About 80,000 people become infected with the bug each year in America, according to the CDC, of which, about 100 die.

It's still important to be cautious about the bacteria.

If you have an open wound it can be a portal for the bacteria, so keep out of seawater as much as possible.

You should also make sure your shellfish is properly cooked and if you have an underlying health condition make sure you are up-to-date with your meds so your immune system isn't compromised.