Last month, in a heartbreaking incident in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, Basil Kennedy, a 77-year-old man, suffered a severe injury that led to a fatal infection caused by the Vibrio vulnificus bacteria. After scraping his leg on a trailer parked outside his home, Kennedy treated the cut with hydrogen peroxide and applied a Band-Aid. However, just three days later, he found himself in the emergency room, grappling with severe symptoms including vomiting and fever.
The escalation of Kennedy's health issues was alarming; his blood pressure plummeted, and lab tests revealed dangerously high levels of lactic acid, signaling potential septic shock. Medical professionals later identified the culprit as Vibrio vulnificus, a rare yet potentially deadly bacterium typically associated with warm, brackish coastal waters. This infection is often contracted when open wounds come into contact with contaminated water or raw shellfish. According to state health departments, 32 cases of this infection have been reported across the Gulf Coast this year, resulting in eight fatalities.
In a twist that shocked the family, Kennedy's daughter, Kay Kennedy Regimbal, revealed that her father did not enter the water after injuring his leg. Instead, the bacteria likely came from the trailer he used to launch a boat into the water. Despite receiving treatments from hospitals in Bay St. Louis and New Orleans, including two surgeries to remove infected skin tissue, Kennedy tragically passed away on July 21 due to organ failure caused by the infection.
Regimbal and her sister, Rebekah Kennedy, emphasized the need for increased awareness regarding how Vibrio vulnificus can be contracted. They pointed out that individuals with open wounds should exercise caution when swimming in warm, brackish coastal waters or handling raw seafood, particularly if they have weakened immune systems. It is also important to note that the bacteria can be ingested by consuming raw or undercooked seafood, which poses additional risks.
Some infections caused by Vibrio vulnificus can lead to necrotizing fasciitis, a severe bacterial infection that destroys the flesh surrounding an open wound. This condition is often referred to as a flesh-eating bacteria infection, highlighting its potential severity. Regimbal urged, “There doesn't need to be a fear of the water. There needs to be education about recognizing the risks associated with cuts and potential exposure.”
The notion that this infection could instill fear of water is particularly poignant for Regimbal and Rebekah Kennedy, who cherish memories of tubing and fishing with their father on his sailboat. Regimbal fondly recalled, “All of our favorite family memories are on the water.” Basil Kennedy's passion for the water never waned, even during retirement. He and his wife enjoyed a transatlantic cruise from England to Miami and boated through Canada. He also traveled extensively, including a memorable train journey across Europe in 2023 with his wife and Rebekah, making stops in cities like London, Paris, and Amsterdam.
More than just a lover of adventure, Basil Kennedy was dedicated to his community in Hancock County, Mississippi. Rebekah noted his desire to give back, which included active participation in the city's yacht club and co-founding the Waveland Ground Zero Museum, aimed at commemorating the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. “He was happy. He was resilient. He had a servant's heart,” Rebekah said, describing him as the life of the party.
In the wake of their father's tragic death, Regimbal and Rebekah Kennedy hope to raise awareness about Vibrio vulnificus and its associated risks. Their goal is to educate the public without causing unnecessary fear of water, emphasizing the importance of understanding how to protect oneself from this dangerous bacteria.
