Mississippi Man’s Leg Gets Amputated After Fishing Trip
A man in Mississippi got infected by flesh-eating bacteria known as Vibrio vulnificus, leading to his left leg below the knee being amputated. It all started on April 11th, 2015 while Gregory Bru Sr. was on a fishing trip with his son. While fishing, salt water splashed on Bru’s leg, allowing the bacteria to make contact with his body. He was eventually hospitalized at the Singing River Hospital in Pascagoula, Mississippi, where he entered the intensive care unit.
On April 13th, 2015, doctors performed the procedure of amputating Bru’s left leg as an attempt to prevent the spread of the infection. Yet his prospects remain unclear after more than a week in the hospital. Bru has liver disease and had his spleen removed when he was younger, which adds difficulty to his condition improving. Individuals with a compromised immune system are at a higher risk of experiencing debilitation from the bacteria than those with a healthy immune system. Overall, Bru’s son is hoping for his recovery and believes he is still “holding strong“.
According to Dr. Okechukwu Ekenna, a specialist in infectious diseases overseeing Bru, “If you have an open wound, you shouldn’t be wading in the water during the summer. If you do, wash it out immediately. And then if you do notice symptoms like chills, fever, sores, blisters, swollen areas, get to the hospital.” This is especially important to keep in mind during the summer season when more people are heading to beaches to enjoy the water.
