Flesh Eating Bacteria in Galveston

Galveston,TX -- Just when you thought it was safe to go in the water, a report emerges about flesh eating bacteria. Brian Parrot, 50, of Jacinto City, was visiting Galveston with his family on June 12.

Parrot and his children and grandchildren spent about two hours in the water. The next day he told his family he was felling ill, within days Parrot was rushed to LBJ hospital in Houston for an emergency amputation.

Doctors told Parrot that he had most likely been exposed to vibrio, a type of bacteria common in salt water and most often found in undercooked shellfish.

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When vibrio infiltrates an open wound it can begin devouring flesh. Parrot's diabetes may have prevented him from noticing a scratch or open wound on his leg.

Although health officials have yet to confirm the vibrio diagnosis, Parrot's case may be the third vibrio infection this year.

The Galveston County Health District reported a food borne exposure and a water borne exposure earlier this year.