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 live in warm brackish water, like standing flood-waters. “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 flood-waters and standing waters following Hurricane Ian,” a spokesperson at the county health department said on Monday.(BBC)…[+]