Deadly bacterium hits Durban beaches

Dr Peter Breedt of Hillcrest had been on his surf-ski and is one of several people who have got sick after swimming or surfing off Durban's beaches. The naturally occurring bacteria had eaten away tissue on his foot, leaving him with an open wound that started out as a small scratch.

The only other reported case of Vibrio vulnificus was also in Durban in 2002 when fisherman Eric Erasmus died after he contracted the bacterium while collecting sand prawns in Durban harbour.

For more:

• IOL: Deadly bug hits beaches