Bacteria News and Reporting Coverage | WRAL

What's a 'Superbug'? Drug-resistant cases on the rise

'Superbugs' are bacteria that don't respond to standard antibiotics and make simple infections harder to treat.

Drug-resistant bacteria on the rise in North Carolina

North Carolina faces a growing threat as drug-resistant bacteria cases surge, raising concerns among health officials.

In Depth with Dan: Answering viewer questions about flesh-eating bacteria, digital licenses

WRAL anchor/reporter Dan Haggerty answered viewer questions about a flesh-eating bacteria in North Carolina and the legalization of digital driver's licenses.

Flesh-eating bacteria infections on North Carolina's coast remain rare but serious

A North Carolina man is in the hospital battling a severe infection caused by a flesh-eating bacterium. WRAL News spoke with state health officials who say the bacteria is a common threat.

People on alert: Outer Banks crews adapt as 'flesh-eating' Vibrio risk grows

North Carolina is seeing an increase in Vibrio infections, with 59 cases and one death reported through July 31.

Flesh-eating bacteria cases increasing in NC< lands fisherman in the ICU

North Carolina is seeing an increase in Vibrio infections, with 59 cases and one death reported through July 31.

Flesh-eating bacteria cases rare but rising: What you need to know heading to NC's coast

A serious bacterial infection has put a North Carolina man in an Outer Banks ICU, highlighting a growing concern over the flesh-eating bacteria found in coastal waters.

Bacteria and beach closures: How to stay safe in the ocean

High bacteria levels are prompting beach closures and advisories across the U.S. Here's how to stay safe in the ocean.

Whooping cough detected in student at Leesville Road High School, WCPSS says

According to the Wake County Public School System, Leesville Road High School sent a letter to parents stating the county had confirmed a case of pertussis, known as whooping cough, among one of its students.

Whooping cough detected at Wake Co. school, district says

On Friday, a spokesperson for the Wake County Public School System told WRAL News a case of the illness was detected in an Oberlin Middle School student.

Mom was right: How bundling up in the cold helps protect your health

Science supports mom's advice to bundle up in the cold. A study in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology shows that even a small drop in temperature weakens the immune system by reducing extracellular vesicles (EVs), which help defend against viruses and bacteria.

Swimming advisory issued after unsafe bacteria levels found in water near Carolina Beach

An advisory against swimming was posted Wednesday at a sound-side site in New Hanover County, where state officials found bacteria levels in the water that exceed the state's and Environmental Protection Agency's recreational water quality standards.

WRAL staff

Sunny day flooding leads to more fecal bacteria in coastal waters, NC State researchers say

High tide on your next beach trip might wash up an "ick" factor.

Fears as West Africa battles worst diphtheria outbreak in recent times

(CNN) -- In Nigeria's northern state of Kano, doctors and health workers are grappling with one of the worst diphtheria outbreaks in recent times.

By Callum Sutherland, CNN

Man gets sick after eating raw oysters at Charlotte bar, officials say

Health officials issued a warning about bacterial infections after a person got sick from eating raw oysters at a Charlotte bar.

WCNC Charlotte

Three dead after swimming in brackish water; NC officials warn against dangers of Vibrio

North Carolina officials are warning people with cuts or open wounds not to swim in saltwater or brackish water after three people died of an infection in July.

Monica Casey, WRAL Durham reporter

Sanford woman loses thumb to rare bacterial infection and saved through collaborative effort

The husband of a Sanford woman is thankful she's alive after a near death experience with a rare, bacterial infection.

Rick Armstrong, WRAL producer

Sanford woman nearly loses life from flesh-eating bacteria

When Tammy Russ cut her thumb, removing an ingrown hangnail, little did she know that she would nearly lose her life 24 hours later from a rare flesh-eating bacteria.

CDC, NC health leaders warn of drug-resistant fungal threat in care facilities

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services are warning nursing homes, hospitals and other care facilities about the spread of a highly contagious, hard-to-treat fungal infection, Candida auris.

Chelsea Donovan, WRAL reporter

'Much more severe kind of food poisoning': Restaurant owners concerned about drug-resistant shigella

WRAL News spoke with local health experts about how shigella spreads and how local restaurants are keeping your food safe.

Aaron Thomas, WRAL reporter

More fecal bacteria in oceans after storms

North Carolina's beaches could be brimming with bacteria due to aging infrastructure. Researchers at the Institute of Marine Sciences in Morehead City said they are seeing more fecal matter indicator bacteria in ocean water.

Beachgoers beware: Climate change may be increasing fecal bacteria at North Carolina beaches

Aging storm drains along the east coast are further deteriorating due to rising sea levels and higher high tides that push saltwater into the pipes, corroding them and mixing sewage with stormwater runoff.

Liz McLaughlin, WRAL climate change reporter

You Don't Need a Microscope to See the Biggest Bacteria Ever Found

In a Caribbean mangrove forest, scientists have discovered a species of bacteria that grows to the size and shape of a human eyelash.

Carl Zimmer, New York Times

Study: Kisses from pet may contain deadly bacteria

An international study says pets could be sharing more than unconditional love with their pet parents with each kiss.

Keeping yourself healthy against coronavirus? The answer may be in your gut

While companies across the country race to develop a coronavirus vaccine, some researchers at Duke University Medical Center are taking a slightly different approach.