A potentially deadly flesh-eating bacterium has been detected in waters across Long Island, raising urgent concerns as experts warn that infections can become fatal in as little as 48 hours. Researchers at Stony Brook University identified multiple “hotspots” of Vibrio vulnificus —a rare but highly aggressive bacterium—in coastal areas including Sagaponack Pond, Mecox Bay, and Georgica Pond on the South Fork. The organism thrives in warm, brackish water and can enter the body through open cuts or by consuming contaminated shellfish, particularly raw oysters. According to People , the discovery comes as temperatures begin to rise heading into peak beach season, when cases historically spike. The Cleveland Clinic notes that infections are most common between May and October and can escalate rapidly, sometimes within hours. While the bacteria are uncommon—causing roughly 100 to 200 cases annually in the U.S.—they belong to a broader family responsible for about 80,000 illnesses each year.…