A Michigan man who helped recover from Hurricane Ian has died from flesh-eating bacteria

“There are so many people who go there and don’t know the danger after the disaster,” said the man’s fiancé.

A Michigan man who flew to Florida to help his friend repair and clean up debris. After Hurricane Ian contracted flesh-eating bacteria and died.

James Hewitt, 56, injured his leg after falling from his friend’s boat into the canal. His fiancee Leah Delano told The Washington Post. Hewitt call Delano after the accident and told him he was feeling ill.

Delano said Hewitt’s leg was swollen, and they had a fever the next day. After he was rush to the hospital, doctors decide he need to be move to the intensive care unit due to sepsis. When the body has an extreme and life-threatening response to infection.

Hewitt died two days later.

Doctors told Delano that Hewitt contracted vibrio, a flesh-eating bacteria found in ocean waters warm above 55 degrees. Often in coastal states such as Texas, California and Florida.

The Florida Department of Health warned residents on October 3 that floodwaters from Hurricane Ian could harbour diseases such as Vibrio. As of October 28, the health department had reported 66 cases of vibrio. Nearly double the previous year, and 13 deaths. Lots of people are leaving. People are down and don’t know the dangers in the aftermath of a disaster,” Delano told the Washington Post.

There are about 80,000 cases of Vibrio infection each year. And people with immune systems or liver disease are more likely to experience side effects from Vibrio infection if they have open sores. Doctors say people should watch for the first signs of a Vibrio infection. Including fever or dizziness, or seeing sores turn red and spread.