Second Texas man could lose leg to flesh-eating bacteria

A Kyle man is suffering from an infected leg after contracting a flesh-eating bacteria while swimming on the Texas Gulf Coast.

A few hours after being in the water, Adrian Ruiz was running a fever and had chills.

A 42-year-old man from Buda, Texas was hospitalized after he was infected by the Vibrio vulnificus bacteria, which is known to eat flesh.

Port Aransas officials say it’s unclear where a Hays County man contracted vibrio during his Coastal Bend vacation.

Kristi Hill, a friend of the Ruiz family, told the Statesman that Ruiz is fighting to keep his leg. Hill said Ruiz is listed in critical condition, but added that he’s conscious. “Unfortunately, it’s my husband, but it could’ve been somebody else’s kid”.

The Galveston County Health District, in conjunction with the Texas General Land Office, monitors some bacteria levels at 52 sites weekly and issues a beach water advisory when water quality standards are exceeded.

However, none are now in place in Port Aransas, Scott Cross, director of Nueces County Coastal Parks, told the Corpus Christi Caller Times.

In 2013, the CDC said there were 104 reported cases of Vibrio-related illness in 13 states, which made it an outbreak.

“I can’t speak as to why no one is doing that”, he said.

According to the Texas State Health Department, there have been 27 reported cases of vibrio infection in the state in 2016.

To avoid wound infections, people are recommended to avoid handling any raw seafood if they now have a wound. It’s also spread by uncooked shellfish.

The bacteria, which can affect people with open wounds, could also be contracted from eating raw or undercooked shellfish, although this would be more diarrheal and would not have anyone need medical attention to recover, although some people could become sick enough to need extra fluids or hospitalization. He was walking with some discomfort but the swelling has gone down. “We believe in God, and we just ask people to pray because that’s what will get him through”. Those with low immune systems or open cuts or wounds are most at risk.

This all comes after 50-year-old Brian Parrott lost his leg to a flesh-eating bacteria after visiting the beach in Galveston, Texas, earlier this month. “We love going to the beach”.