Lee County
| Use attributes for filter ! | |
| Area | 3139 |
|---|---|
| Population | 739,224 (2017) |
| Points of interest | Sanibel Island |
| Captiva Island | |
| Colleges and universities | Florida SouthWestern State College |
| Did you know | Lee is the ninth-highest-income Florida location by per capita income ($29,445). |
| Date of Reg. | |
| Date of Upd. | |
| ID | 880710 |
About Lee County
Lee County is located in southwest Florida on the Gulf Coast. As of the 2010 census, the population was 618,754. The county seat is Fort Myers, and the largest city is Cape Coral with an estimated 2018 population of 189,343. Lee County comprises the Cape Coral–Fort Myers, FL Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Florida flesh-eating illness cases spike after Hurricane Ian
... Officials say Lee County, where the category four storm made landfall on 28 September, has recorded 29 illnesses and four deaths owing to the bacteria...
Hurricane Ian: Florida death toll rises as criticism mounts
... At least half of the deaths recorded so far are in Lee County, where Ian made landfall as a Category 4 hurricane...
Hurricane Ian: They stayed for the storm - what happens now?
... So far, 35 deaths have been confirmed in Florida s Lee County - a grim toll that is still expected to rise...
Hurricane Ian: Death toll rising as storm strengthens
... A little further south, Lee County took the brunt of the storm surge...
Gabby Petito: Fiancé Brian Laundrie's remains found - FBI
... In a short news conference on Thursday, Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno praised officials for working under " treacherous conditions" in the park...
Florida flesh-eating illness cases spike after Hurricane Ian
By Max MatzaBBC News, Washington
The Florida county that was devastated by Hurricane Ian last month has seen a surge in cases of flesh-eating bacteria illnesses and deaths.
Officials say Lee County , where the category four storm made landfall on 28 September, has recorded 29 illnesses and four deaths owing to the bacteria.
All but two cases were diagnosed after The Hurricane .
Vibrio vulnificus infections can be caused after bacteria enters The Body through open cuts.
The bacteria lives in warm brackish water, like standing floodwaters.
" The Florida Department of Health in Lee County is observing an abnormal increase in cases of Vibrio vulnificus infections as a result of exposure to the floodwaters and standing waters following Hurricane Ian, " a spokesperson at The County health department said on Monday.
The Statement called on residents to " always be aware of the potential risks associated when exposing open wounds, cuts, or scratches on The Skin to warm, brackish, or salt water".
" Sewage spills, like those caused from Hurricane Ian, may increase bacteria levels, " The Statement continued. " As the post-storm situation evolves, individuals should take precautions against infection and illness caused by Vibrio vulnificus. "
Collier County , just south of Lee County , has also recorded three confirmed cases that officials say are storm-related.
Across Florida, there have been a record 11 confirmed deaths attributed to the bacterium this year, and a total of 65 cases, Officials estimate that nearly half are related to Hurricane Ian.
In 2021, 10 deaths were recorded and 34 cases in Florida. Seven deaths were attributed to the bacteria in 2020.
Vibrio vulnificus is known as " flesh-eating" because it can develop into necrotising fasciitis, a condition that causes tissue to break down. It is not the only bacteria that can cause necrotising fasciitis.
According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, around one in five Vibrio vulnificus patients dies, sometimes within only A Day or two of becoming ill.
It can cause sepsis if it enters the bloodstream, and can sometimes lead to amputations to prevent its spread to other parts of a patient's Body .
Source of news: bbc.com
