PENSACOLA, Fla. (WKRG) — Vibrio vulnificus, or more commonly known as the flesh-eating bacteria, has turned Pensacola local Genevieve Gallagher’s life upside down, as she becomes the third recorded case of vibrio from Escambia County.
Chickasaw meat-packing business hit by devastating fire
“It has been the most horrible, tragic thing I’ve ever gone through,” Gallagher said.
Gallagher, her husband, and seven-year-old daughter were enjoying their Sunday in late July at Santa Rosa Sound off Pensacola Beach. Gallagher had never heard of the flesh-eating bacteria and swam in the water without a worry.
Genevieve Gallagher is in the hospital after contracting the ‘flesh-eating bacteria.’ (Courtesy of Genevieve Gallagher)
“I did have a small cut on my leg that day I went into the water,” Gallagher recounted. “However, I had it covered with a waterproof bandage, kind of clear bandage, obviously, that didn’t do anything for me.”…