Buzz
The notion of being consumed alive by an invisible adversary is utterly horrifying. These diseases not only bring about high fevers, relentless nausea, and unbearable agony but also leave their victims disfigured, often beyond recognition. For many, death can appear as a merciful escape from such torment.
10. Bairnsdale Ulcer
The Bairnsdale ulcer is wreaking havoc in Australia. What starts as a seemingly harmless mosquito bite rapidly escalates into severe wounds that consume flesh, fat, tendons, nerves, and even bones. Experts suspect the disease is transmitted to humans through mosquitoes that feed on possums, though it remains unclear whether possums are the source or merely another casualty. The infection develops slowly, often taking up to four months to manifest after the initial bite, with the elbow, back, calf, and ankle being the most frequently affected areas.
The Bairnsdale ulcer has been recognized for many years. However, over the past three years, cases in Australia have surged, doubling in number. This year, Victoria alone has reported 45 cases. Thankfully, a rapid and reliable diagnostic test exists. Early detection allows for straightforward treatment, but delays can result in severe pain and even the need for amputation.
9. Missouri’s Mucormycosis Outbreak
In 2011, a devastating tornado struck Joplin, Missouri, bringing more than just destruction. In the aftermath, several people were diagnosed with a rare and lethal flesh-eating fungal infection. The Mucormycosis fungus, typically found in wood and soil, plays a crucial role in the decomposition process. This aggressive fungus invades blood vessel walls, forming filaments that create clots. These clots obstruct blood flow, causing tissue death and even mold growth on the affected areas.
Referred to as a 'lid-lifter,' this fungus grows so rapidly in laboratory settings that it can push the lid off a Petri dish. It spreads just as aggressively in humans, consuming tissue and even bone. Only 74 cases of this disease had been documented before the Joplin outbreak, where 13 individuals were infected, resulting in five fatalities. Treatment involves potent antifungal medications and debridement, the surgical removal of dead tissue.
8. Diseased Deer
After nearly three decades of absence, screwworm flies have reappeared in the Florida Keys, targeting the endangered Key deer. With a population ranging between 1,300 and 1,500, these deer are now under threat. To date, 102 deer have been euthanized due to untreatable infections. Screwworms deposit their eggs in open wounds, and the resulting maggots consume living tissue. Most infected deer have been males, as their wounds from territorial battles over mates make them more vulnerable to infestation.
Federal authorities have initiated a program to sterilize male screwworm flies in the hardest-hit areas, Big Pine and No Name Key. This approach proved successful in the 1950s and 1960s, eradicating the disease from Florida. Biologists and volunteers are now providing the Key deer with food treated with doramectin, a potent anti-parasitic medication.
7. Aleppo Evil
Cutaneous leishmaniasis, a disfiguring illness transmitted by sand flies, is famously known as 'Aleppo Evil.' This disease has plagued Syria for centuries, causing severe open sores at the site of the bite. Without treatment, or if it attacks the mucus membranes, it can prove fatal.
Previously confined to Syria, the disease surged in Lebanese refugee camps in 2012. It has since spread to Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan, and parts of southern Europe. The Kurdish Red Crescent accused ISIS of exacerbating the outbreak by leaving decomposing bodies in public areas. However, the School of Tropical Medicine dismissed this claim of primitive biological warfare, clarifying that sand flies feed on living hosts, not decaying remains. The outbreak is attributed to the collapse of the healthcare system.
6. Eczema Herpeticum
At just six weeks old, Owen Richards developed eczema, which first appeared as redness on his cheek before spreading to his legs and stomach. The condition deteriorated, covering his body in painful, bleeding sores. The severity of his eczema made it impossible for his family to hug him, and everyday activities like using the bathroom or getting dressed became excruciating due to constant scratching and bleeding. Painful cysts even formed under his fingernails.
In 2013, Owen was hospitalized after contracting eczema herpeticum, a rare bacterial infection that consumes flesh. Initially resembling chicken pox, the infection rapidly progressed, devouring the skin on his face, leaving him with what appeared to be severe burns. Doctors started him on intravenous antiviral medications, but concerned about the side effects, his mother sought herbal treatments. Shulan Tang, a Chinese medicine professor in Manchester, prescribed a herbal remedy. Within a month, Owen recovered enough to run, play, and return to school.
5. Alabama Rot
Alabama Rot, also referred to as cutaneous and renal glomerular vasculopathy, was first identified in greyhounds in the United States. This disease causes painful skin lesions and can result in kidney failure if not treated promptly. Dog owners are increasingly fearful of taking their pets outdoors due to the risk of infection.
The first UK case emerged in 2012, and since 2014, a widespread outbreak has affected dogs of all breeds and ages, with at least 78 reported cases. Symptoms typically include lesions on the face, abdomen, and legs, followed by nausea, lethargy, high fever, and eventual kidney failure. The cause of the disease remains a mystery, with no evidence pointing to viruses, fungi, bacteria, or toxins. Some experts speculate that a rare strain of E. coli bacteria might be responsible.
4. Necrotic Spider Bites
Brown recluse spider bites are uncommon, as these spiders are not aggressive and cannot easily penetrate clothing. Bites typically occur when the spider is accidentally pressed against the skin. While most bites heal within three weeks without treatment, in rare cases, the venom can cause severe tissue damage.
In 2013, Jeff Hanneman, the guitarist for the metal band Slayer, passed away due to liver failure. Many news outlets attributed his death to complications from necrotizing fasciitis, which he allegedly contracted from a spider bite in 2010. He underwent multiple surgeries to remove dead tissue, was placed in a medically induced coma, and had to relearn how to walk. However, a coroner concluded that alcohol-induced cirrhosis was the actual cause of death, likely predating the spider bite.
3. Chesapeake Killer
On September 11, 2016, Michael Funk was cleaning crab pots in the Chesapeake Bay. Four days later, he succumbed to a deadly infection caused by the flesh-eating bacteria Vibrio vulnificus. After experiencing intense leg pain, he was hospitalized, where doctors removed necrotic tissue. Despite their efforts, the infection spread to his bloodstream, leading to his untimely death.
Vibrio bacteria flourish in warm, low-salinity coastal waters, causing approximately 85,000 infections annually in the United States. The most frequent source of infection is consuming contaminated crabs and fish. Funk’s infection entered through a cut on his leg. There are concerns that the tourism industry may be minimizing the severity of these outbreaks.
2. Buruli Ulcer
Buruli ulcer is rapidly spreading across West Africa, with over 40,000 reported cases. This flesh-eating disease causes painful, swollen ulcers and open wounds. In severe instances, amputation becomes necessary. The exact mode of transmission remains unclear, though experts believe it enters through breaks in the skin.
A significant number of West African cases remain unreported due to widespread illiteracy, poverty, and reliance on traditional remedies. Many victims attribute their condition to witchcraft. According to the World Health Organization, a vaccine provides temporary protection against the bacteria responsible for the disease, Mycobacterium ulcerans. Efforts are underway to develop long-term vaccines and more effective diagnostic methods.
1. Sepsis’s Second Act
In 2012, John Middleditch initially believed he had the flu. Soon, a purple rash spread across his body, his limbs darkened, and fluid accumulated inside them. Multiple organs began to fail, and he was diagnosed with sepsis. Both his legs and forearms were amputated. Despite the odds, Middleditch survived and was fitted with prosthetic limbs, allowing him to return to his passion for gardening.
Four years later, the disease returned. Within weeks, Middleditch passed away.
Sepsis claims 44,000 lives annually in the UK, surpassing the mortality rates of heart attacks and even some cancers. Often referred to as 'blood poisoning,' this condition is typically triggered by a common infection. The body's immune response goes into overdrive, attacking its own tissues and organs.
