Flesh Eating Bacteria In East Bay

GALVESTON, TX — Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water, flesh eating bacteria returns. A fisherman from Deer Park caught more then he bargained for when he was out on East Bay recently.

On July 22, Michael Cacciotti claims he was in his boat on East Bay, which extends from about Goat Island to Rollover Island, cutting up some fish when he sliced his hand. Cacciotti didn't think much about the injury, until the next day.

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When Cacciotti went back out on July 23, his hand started swelling and his body started aching. He came into shore and called 9-1-1. Paramedics took him to the hospital where doctors determined that he was infected with vibrio, a type of flesh-eating bacteria.

Vibrio is common in salt water and most often found in undercooked shellfish. When vibrio infiltrates an open wound it can begin devouring flesh. Cacciotti is the fourth case of vibrio infection this year. The Galveston County Health District reported a food borne exposure and two water borne exposures earlier this year.