“What we found was that a condition of warm temperatures and presence of heavy plankton promotes the growth of these embryos, and the same conditions are likely going to be true for this region [affected by Idalia]. So, we will be expecting to detect these pathogens in the water systems.”

Due to the expectation of a massive inundation of freshwater and clearwater systems combining, Jutla encourages those who can avoid floodwater to do so—especially those with cuts and scrapes. Others should seek medical attention for clarity.

Another study co-authored by Jutla released this month pertaining to the potential for cross-contamination of water bodies with pathogens in coastal agricultural regions—in association with past Hurricanes Michael and Florence—is “indicative of the comprehensive need for development of pathogenic libraries along the entire US coastal regions.”

Jutla said that infection from this specific bacteria can lead to high mortality rates and was discovered a month after Ian.

By using satellite technology to track plankton, researchers’ current understanding is that there are abundant nutrients available for the survival of Vibrio vulnificus.

Another major and unexpected issue that is quite concerning, he noted, is the rise in antimicrobial resistance genes (AMR) in those pathogens. AMR presence alludes to the likely decrease of the effectiveness of available antibiotics that traditionally minimize or eliminate infections in the human population.

“These are not infectious pathogens but impacts economic and social fabric of communities,” he said. “AMR is likely going to be the major threat to coastal communities, and we are still in [the] very preliminary stages to understand how variability [changes] in the climate and weather patterns will impact the spread of AMRs in human populations and how coastal communities are going to be coping with these situations.”

Other infectious bacteria, like salmonella, has been discovered from past hurricane sampling.

“The point here is that the pathogens are going to be there,” Jutla said. “Pathogens are going to be in the water system, but at this point, it is more likely that they will be infectious than not infectious.

“The idea of how the antimicrobial resistance genes are going to be present—they may be transmitted more aggressively during flood events, that is something of a concern and we have no idea how that will happen.”