ORLANDO, Fla. — A central Florida woman is seeking help as her husband continues to battle a "deadly, deadly" flesh-eating bacteria.
Karen Lipko has set up a GoFundMe page for her husband, who she says contracted the bacteria two months ago. Nine surgeries later, Lipko says they are still not exactly sure how he was infected.
"I came very close to losing him," Lipko stated on the page. "He cannot work. He is still in the hospital with another surgery next week. He and I are the only family each of us had."
While the cause is still unknown, Lipko's husband was infected two months ago, which is around the same time Hurricanes Helene and Milton hit the Florida community.
In the aftermath of the storms, the Florida Department of Health reported 81 cases of vibrio vulnificus, along with 16 deaths, so far in 2024. That is in comparison to 70 cases and 11 deaths reported in mid-October.
Vibrio vulnificus can cause illness when ingested or when it comes in contact with open wounds.
Anyone who has a compromised immune system, liver disease or open wounds is at the most risk of catching the bacteria.
Symptoms include:
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Abdominal pain
- Fever
- Chills
- Fast or high heart rate
- Confusion
- Disorientation
In November, 15 cases and three deaths were reported in Pinellas County while eight cases and two deaths were reported in Hillsborough County.
Pinellas County has both the most cases and deaths in the entire state.
"We are barely able to pay our bills this month. We have never been late on any of them. Now, our world is crashing," Lipko said.
As of Dec. 16, Lipko's GoFundMe page has raised $200 of its $10k goal. Anyone interested in donating can click here.
