High Fever After Stepping on Dead Fish at Beach... Chinese Boy, 6, Nearly Lost Leg to This Disease

High Fever Developed the Day After Stepping on a Dead Fish
Diagnosed with Vibrio Sepsis... Fortunately Discharged Safely
"Delayed Treatment Could Have Led to Leg Amputation"

An incident occurred on a beach in China where a child nearly lost a leg after becoming infected with a deadly bacterium from stepping on a dead fish. Even minor abrasions can lead to fatal infections, so extra caution is required during beach activities.

Touching or stepping on dead fish on the beach can lead to fatal sepsis. Photo to aid understanding of the article. Pexels

According to local media outlets such as Guangming Daily, on August 10, a six-year-old child in Xiamen, China, was playing in the sand on a beach when he accidentally stepped on a dead fish. He subsequently developed a high fever and swelling in his leg and was transported to the hospital.

While playing on the beach, the child suddenly felt pain in the sole of his foot. Upon inspection, it was found that he had been pricked by the fin of a dead red fish lying on the sand. The parents initially thought it was a simple wound and only disinfected it. However, when the child developed a high fever above 39 degrees Celsius and swelling in his leg the next day, they rushed him to the hospital.

At the First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, tests on the wound and blood confirmed an infection with Vibrio sepsis. The medical team immediately performed surgery to remove necrotic tissue and administered antibiotic treatment. Fortunately, the child recovered safely and was discharged. Hospital officials explained, "If treatment had been delayed even a little, it could have resulted in amputation or a life-threatening situation."

Vibrio sepsis is caused by infection with the bacterium Vibrio vulnificus, which inhabits seawater. Infection can occur from eating contaminated raw seafood or when wounds are exposed to seawater, leading to symptoms such as fever, abdominal pain, blisters, and necrotic lesions. The fatality rate is as high as 30 to 50 percent, and some patients die within 48 hours of onset.

"No Bare Feet on the Beach; Seek Immediate Medical Attention for Wounds"

Experts advise against walking barefoot on the beach and recommend that if you are injured by a fish, crab, or similar creature, you should immediately wash the wound with clean water or disinfectant and visit a hospital promptly for antibiotic treatment and tetanus prevention. They also recommend always wearing gloves when handling seafood and thoroughly cooking seafood at temperatures above 85 degrees Celsius before consumption.