>> AND THIS IS SOUTHWEST FLORIDA IN FOCUS.

COMING UP, HOUSING DEVELOPMENTS APPEAR TO BE PUSHING BACK ON THE OLD FLORIDA LIFESTYLE.

>> DESPITE THE CHANGE IN POPULATION BUSINESSES THAT RELY ON THAT RULE WAY OF LIVING ARE FINDING NEW WAYS TO THRIVE.

AS WEATHER EXPERTS KEEP AN EYE ON STORM THREATS.

WE LEARNED ABOUT THE PLANNING YOU SHOULD MAKE PRIOR TO INCLEMENT WEATHER.

AND A FLESH EATING BACTERIA REEMERGES IN SOUTHWEST FLORIDA.

WE LEARN MORE ABOUT THE RISK AND HOW YOU CAN STAY SAFE DURING YOUR DAY AT THE BEACH.

HELLO, I'M JENNIFER CRAWFORD.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

IT'S NO SECRET THAT EVERY YEAR IN SOUTHWEST FLORIDA FARMLAND AND WOODS ARE TURNING INTO DEVELOPMENTS FOR HOUSING AND RETAIL OUTLETS.

BUT WHAT ABOUT BUSINESSES FOCUSED ON RULE LIFE?

HOW CAN THEY SURVIVE THE LOSS OF FARMS AND RANCHES AND STILL FIND CUSTOMERS WHO APPRECIATE A COUNTRY LIFESTYLE.

WGCUS MIKE WALCHER LOOKED FOR ANSWERS NORTH OF FORT MYERS IN THIS WEEK'S FOCUS ON BUSINESS.

>> AGRICULTURE AND OPEN LAND USED TO DOMINATE THIS REGION.

NOW HOMES AND COMMERCIAL OUTLETS REPLACE WHAT WAS SO HOW DO YOU WESTERN WEAR STORE IN NORTH FORT MYERS, HAVING STRONG SALES?

>> I BELIEVE A LOT OF IT HAS TO DO WITH YELLOWSTONE.

WESTERN WEAR TO THE MAINSTREAM.

>> THAT'S WET CORNER OF MARY LOU'S.

SHE CREDITS TELEVISION AND MODERN TECHNOLOGY WITH HELPING TO SELL CLASSIC WESTERN ITEMS.

>> SOCIAL MEDIA HAS BEEN AN AWESOME OUTLET FOR OUR BUSINESS.

IT'S FREE AND EVERYBODY'S ON THEIR PHONE.

I WANT IF THEY'RE LOOKING FOR SOMETHING THEY GOOGLE IT AND WE POP UP.

>> WHAT DO YOU USE FACEBOOK PRIMARILY OR OTHER FACEBOOK?

>> INSTAGRAM TIKTOK.

>> THAT APPROACH MAKES SENSE TO DOCTOR GINA TREND, ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR AT FGCU SLUGGER COLLEGE OF BUSINESS.

>> I THINK THAT THESE BUSINESSES CAN CONSIDER USING INTERNET AND SOCIAL MEDIA AS A TOOL TO BE EACH POTENTIAL.

NEW CUSTOMERS, VISITORS TO THE AREA.

ALL RIGHT.

AND THESE BUSINESSES SHOULD LEAN IN ON WHAT THEIR SIGNATURES ARE, WHETHER IT'S A SIGNATURE SERVICE SIGNATURE PRODUCT TO MARKET OFFERING THAT THEY'RE GOING TO SHARE WITH THE WORLD >> ITS FEET STORE SAYS IT SURVIVES BY SELECTIVE MARKETING AND CHANGING AS THE CUSTOMER BASE INVOLVED.

FEW TRIALS SAYS IT SELLS MORE DOG FOOD THAN EVER.

NOT JUST FEED FOR FARM ANIMALS AND IT'S STILL IN FORT MYERS.

AFTER 80 YEARS, EVEN AGAINST TRACTOR SUPPLY'S, BIG COMPANY COMPETITION.

LAWHON STORE AND DELI AND THE BAYSHORE AREA DOES A BOOMING BUSINESS WITH FRESH COUNTRY.

STAPLES.

AND THAT OLD FASHION BUTCHER SHOP.

LAWNS USES SOME SOCIAL MEDIA.

BUT A LONGTIME EMPLOYEE SAYS WORD OF MOUTH AND COUNTRY VALUES KEEP THIS PLACE GOING.

>> ON US LEGITIMATE NICE TO EVERYBODY.

IF NOBODY JUDGES, NOBODY, NOBODY KIDS.

IF YOU FAT, SKINNY, OLD, YOUNG, RICH, POOR, THEY LOVE EVERYBODY IN HERE AND EVERYBODY'S EQUAL.

AND WHICH WAS A KEY SITE.

>> A RISE OF IT IS SAID THAT MIGHT BRING ME.

I GOT IT.

>> PROFESSOR TREND SAYS WHEN SHE TRAVELS, SHE LOVES TO SAMPLE LOCAL PRODUCTS HANDING OUT FOR TODAY.

HIGH REMINDER THAT SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS SHOULD PLAY UP WHAT THEY HAVE.

THAT'S DIFFERENT.

>> WE CAN'T JUST DECIDE.

>> WE BETTER THROUGH SOUTH BERGERON AND RE-IMAGINED STATUTE.

>> THE LOCAL ATMOSPHERE AND WHAT THEY'RE OFFERING THAT IS UNIQUE OR SPECIAL.

THAT'S WHAT THEY NEED TO LEAN IN ON AND MAKE SURE THAT THE CUSTOMERS AND POTENTIAL CUSTOMERS KNOW ABOUT THIS AND GET THAT INFORMATION AND GOOGLE REVIEWS IS A GREAT WAY TO DO THAT.

>> AT MARY LOU'S THE HUGE ASSORTMENT OF PRODUCTS SEEMS TO ATTRACT MORE YOUNG CUSTOMERS.

>> I SHOP HERE ACROSS BECAUSE THIS PLACE IT'S UNIQUE.

IT'S NOT ANY OTHER STORE.

YOU CANNOT FIND STUFF THAT YOU WANT SUMMER HERE SOMEWHERE.

THERE.

ITS EXCLUSIVE THE AT THE STORE AND I DRIVE 30 MINUTES.

I GOT 30 MINUTES TODAY TO COME OVER HERE.

>> THE BUSINESSES AND CUSTOMERS WE TALK WITH POINT OUT.

THEY ARE TOUGH, STRONG AND RESILIENT.

THEY SAY THEY WOULDN'T STILL BE COUNTRY FOLKS IF THEY WORK.

>> IT IS THE WAY LIFE.

IT'S IMPORTANT TO TALK TO THE BUSINESS OWNERS.

AND, YOU KNOW, THESE PEOPLE, YOU'VE DEALT WITH THEM FOR YEARS.

SO WHEN YOU WALK IN, YOU SEE A FRIENDLY FACE, YOU KNOW THEIR NAME.

YOU CAN HAVE THAT ONE-ON-ONE CONVERSATION AS THAT OF JUST.

HITTING SEND OR BUY ON THE ON THE TABLET.

IT TAKES ME BACK TO WHEN I WAS FIRST WORKING WITH MY FATHER OF BUYING A NEW PAIR OF BOOTS.

IT.

>> EVERY TIME I COME IN HERE MAKES ME FEEL LIKE A LITTLE KID AGAIN, THERE'S NO OTHER STATE THAT KIND OF HAS THIS WERE.

YOU'RE RIGHT.

IT'S A CITY.

YOU'RE TO THE RULES.

SO KEEPING THIS PLACE ALIVE, HIGHLIGHTS THE ROOM AND EVERYBODY LOOKED AT THE CITY.

>> SO HERE'S TO THE OLD COUNTRY WAYS WITH A SMIDGEN OF NEW TECHNOLOGIES.

SPRINKLE THEM.

FOR WGCU NEWS BY MIKE WALCHER >> COMING UP, RECLAIMING INDEPENDENCE AFTER A STROKE MEET THE WOMAN WHO LEARNED NOT ONLY HOW TO GET BACK BEHIND THE WHEEL, BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY RACE FOR CHILDREN.

>> THE ATLANTIC HURRICANE SEASON JUST STARTED AND THE TIME TO PREPARE IS NOW IS PEAK SEASON RUNS FROM MID AUGUST TO MID OCTOBER.

>> THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOES NOT PREDICT ANY TROPICAL CYCLONE FORMATION WITHIN THE NEXT 7 DAYS AND THE NWS SAYS THERE'S A 55% CHANCE OF THIS SEASON BEING BELOW NORMAL WHEN IT COMES TO NAMED STORMS.

WHEN THE TIME DOES COME, THE FIRST NAMED STORM IN THE ATLANTIC WILL BEA ARTHUR, IF YOU HAVE NOT DONE SO ALREADY NOW IS THE TIME TO MAKE SURE YOU ARE PREPARED.

AND THAT INCLUDES PROTECTING IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS.

IF YOU HAVE NOT DONE SO ALREADY.

NOW IS THE TIME TO TAKE SPECIAL CARE TO PROTECT AND PRESERVE IMPORTANT ITEMS LIKE YOUR PASSPORT, BIRTH CERTIFICATES AND OTHER IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS.

IN CASE OF THE STORM, FINANCIAL EXPERT FROM ACHIEVE A CREDIT UNION AND THE BRANCH MANAGER IN ESTERO MR.

KYLE MITCHELL JOINS US NOW TO GIVE US SOME PRETTY IMPORTANT INFORMATION THAT FAMILIES IN OUR AREA NEED TO BE AWARE OF WITH HURRICANE SEASON.

STARTING TODAY.

WHAT IS YOUR RECOMMENDATION REGARDING ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS THAT PEOPLE SHOULD BE REALLY TRYING TO HOLD ON TO AND MAKE SURE THEY'RE SAFE.

SO DEFINITELY ANY DOCUMENTATION THAT YOU DON'T WANT TO HAVE TO REPLACE.

>> WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT IT, YOU'RE ALREADY IN A STRESSFUL SITUATION.

I'VE BEEN THROUGH MULTIPLE HURRICANES MYSELF AND ANYTHING THAT MIGHT BE SHUT DOWN IF THERE'S NO INTERNET, THERE'S NO POWER.

YOU CAN'T GET THOSE DOCUMENTS FROM.

SO A LOT OF PEOPLE THINK OF THE PHYSICAL ASPECT.

SO STOCK UP ON WATER AS EVIDENCE.

BUT THE LINES BEFORE HURRICANE.

BUT ONCE YOU ENTER THAT CONE AND IT'S COMING HAVING THOSE DOCUMENTS READING IN A WATERPROOF SAFE IN IRAQ, WATERPROOF BAG, POTENTIALLY THAT CAN COME WITH YOU SHOULD YOU NEED TO TAKE SOMETHING THAT'S GOING TO PROTECT THEM?

SO ANYTHING FROM IDENTIFYING DOCUMENTS PER CERTIFICATES TO FINANCIAL DOCUMENTS.

THE MAJOR INSURANCE TALKING TO TO WANT TO BE LOOKING FOR.

THOSE OF YOU HAVE TO HAVE SOMETHING REPLACED FINANCIAL DOCUMENTS.

IF YOU HAVE FINANCIAL DOCUMENTS WHERE YOU CAN PUT MONEY IN ORDER TO HAVE REPAIRS DONE THOSE KIND OF THINGS ARE GOOD TO HAVE AHEAD OF TIME AND IT LESSENS THE STRESS OF THE SITUATION.

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO HAVE THESE HARD COPIES?

WE WERE DISCUSSING THIS.

WE ARE IN A DIGITAL AGE.

>> MANY OF OUR DOCUMENTS ARE ARE ALREADY PRESERVED ONLINE.

BUT TO YOUR POINT, WE'VE BEEN THROUGH MANY HURRICANES IN SOUTHWEST FLORIDA.

THERE'S AN IMPORTANT REASON HAVE HARD COPIES.

ABSOLUTELY.

PERSONALLY, I AND 3, 3, SPOTS.

TYPICALLY YOU CAN LOG ON ONLINE.

BUT AS WE'VE SEEN, THERE'S NOT ALWAYS USE A SOLID CELL SIGNAL.

>> DEFINITELY WI-FI IS AN ISSUE I WANT AND A LOT OF PLACES ROLLING TAKING CASH, WHICH MEANS THERE'S NO CONNECTIVITY, WHICH MEANS YOU WILL HAVE CONNECTIVITY HAVING EITHER A HARD COPY.

ANOTHER PLACE TO PUT IN HIS PICTURES ON YOUR PHONES NOW, LEGALLY, THAT WILL BE ACCEPTED.

BUT SHOULD YOU NEED TO GO FIND INFORMATION?

YOU CAN ACTUALLY FIND THOSE.

AND FOR MOST OF US, A CELL PHONES, A LASTING LOOSE.

>> THAT'S TRUE.

AND YOU ALSO WERE TOUCHING ON CASH IS SO IMPORTANT AFTER THE STORM AND THAT MAKES PEOPLE VICTIMS FRAUDSTERS TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THAT AND THE IMPORTANCE OF MAKING SURE THAT YOU'VE GOT PROPER IDENTIFICATION AFTER THE STORM.

>> SO ABSOLUTELY HAVING SOME CASH ON HAND IS A GREAT AS AS WE'VE TO START A SECOND AGO THROUGH IRMA AND IN A LOT OF PLACES WILL ACCEPT IN CASH.

SO, FOR EXAMPLE, FUEL LINES AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

THEY CAN'T TAKE ANYTHING BUT CASH LEE, YOU NEED THAT TO BE MOBILE.

HOWEVER, HARDIN, A LOT OF CASH CAN ALSO PUT YOU AT RISK.

TYPICALLY AFTER HUGE HURRICANE, YOU WILL HAVE CONSTRUCTION COME FROM ALL OVER THE COUNTRY AND YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT THAT THE LICENSE OF A STATE.

YOU DON'T KNOW WHERE THE INSURED IN THE STATE.

THESE ARE ALL QUESTIONS THAT YOU NEED TO ASK.

TYPICALLY CASH IS KING.

IT WILL PUSH IT AHEAD OF THE LINE.

BUT IT CAN ALSO PUT YOU BEHIND IF SOMETHING HAPPENS IN THE SAND.

YOU DON'T GET THE REPAIRS WHICH ARE LOOKING FOR IN A CAUTIOUS APPEARS.

>> AND WHAT IS YOUR BUSINESS TO TO HELP MAKE SURE WHEN YOU'VE GOT PEOPLE COMING IN AND THEY ARE VERY STRESSED OR PANICKED AFTER SURVIVING A STORM AND THEY SEE THAT GOT DAMAGE.

THEY'RE TRYING TO GET CASH BECAUSE THEY'VE GOT A CONTRACTOR SAYING, HEY, I'M GONNA HELP REMOVE THOSE TREES FROM YOUR PROPERTY.

BUT YOU ARE.

YOU ARE SAYING, HEY, SLOW DOWN, TAKE A BREATH AND YOU HAVE SOME SAFEGUARDS IN PLACE.

ABSOLUTELY.

AND WE SEE A BOTH BEFORE AND AFTER THE HURRICANE.

SO WHEN IT'S COMING, THE 72 HOURS BEFORE HURRICANE ONCE IT LOOKING LIKE IT'S GOING TO HIT SOMEWHERE ON THE COAST.

>> WE'LL SEE PEOPLE AND THAT A WE TRY TO HELP OUR MEMBERS.

SO IF SOMEBODY COMES IN AND THEY WANT TO TAKE OUT 20 OR $30,000 IN CASH, JUST IN CASE WE GO AHEAD AND PREEMPTIVELY.

WE'LL TELL THEM WHAT TO LOOK FOR WHAT TO ASK.

YOU KNOW WHAT TO ASK THESE CONTRACTORS, MAKE SURE THAT THEY'RE SUPPOSED TO BE HERE AND THAT THEY HAVE THE PROPER LICENSING TO DO WHAT YOU'RE ASKING THEM TO DO, ESPECIALLY IF THEY'RE ASKING FOR CASH AND ARE LEAVING.

THERE'S NO RECEIPT BEHIND THAT.

THEN ONCE WE'RE BACK OPEN, WE DO THE SAME THING BECAUSE YOU'LL HAVE FOLKS THAT WILL COME IN INSURANCE IS NOT PAYING OUT AS FAST AS THEY WOULD LIKE.

THEY DON'T LIKE THE BLUE TARP ON THE ROOF.

YOU KNOW, NOBODY DOES.

SO WHEN CASH WILL PUSH YOU TO THE HEAD OF THE LINE, IT'S A GREAT THING, BUT YOU HAVE TO LOOK AT WHAT YOU NEED TO ASK THEM WHAT YOU NEED TO DOUBLE CHECK AND VERIFY HIS TO WHAT YOU'RE SAYING IS YOU ACTUALLY.

>> SORT OF PUT THE BRAKES ON A BIT, ESPECIALLY IF IT'S A LARGE CASH WITHDRAWAL TO SAY, HEY, WHAT ARE YOU PLANNING TO DO WITH IT?

AND YOU'RE HOPING THAT THEY'RE GOING TO SHOW YOU MAY BE A LICENSE FROM A CONTRACTOR.

SO ABSOLUTELY.

AND WHAT WE'RE NOT LEGAL EXPERTS, WE DO THIS ON A DAY-TO-DAY BASIS, EVEN JUST OUTSIDE HURRICANES.

WE JUST WE DOUBLE OUR EFFORTS BECAUSE THERE'S A AN EXTRA ELEMENT TO THAT RISK.

>> BUT THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, IF YOU HAVE SOMEBODY COMES IN AND IT'S A LARGE CASH WITHDRAWALS, ESPECIALLY IN THIS AREA OF FLORIDA.

I'M FROM THE MIDWEST ORIGINALLY, BUT YOU SEE SO MUCH FRAUD OUT HERE.

WE JUST TAKE AN EXTRA STEP ONCE IT HITS THAT TYPE OF A STRESSFUL SITUATION.

>> THAT'S GREAT INFORMATION.

AND CAN YOU TOUCH ON WHAT RENTERS NEED TO KNOW?

WE HAVE A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT ARE RENTING AN APARTMENTS OR HOMES.

WHAT STEPS SHOULD THEY TAKE?

THAT WOULD BE DIFFERENT FROM HOMEOWNER.

YES.

SO RENTERS.

UNFORTUNATELY, A LOT OF THEM THAT I SEE WILL ASSUME THAT THE LANDLORD IS GOING TO TAKE CARE.

>> EVERYTHING SHOULD SOMETHING HIT.

THE LAND WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE BUILDING.

THEY'RE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANYTHING INSIDE.

SO IF YOU CAN IMAGINE HIM IN AN ALREADY STRESSFUL SITUATION, IT'S ALREADY GOING TO TAKE A LOT OF MONEY.

A LOT OF CASH FOR EXTRA FOOD MAY BE EXTRA DAYCARE.

MAYBE YOU'RE SENDING PETS SOME WHERE ALL OF THAT.

THAT'S WHERE MOST OF THAT RAIN COMES.

IF THEN ON TOP OF THAT, YOU HAVE TO REPLACE FURNITURE, KIDS, TOYS.

KITCHENWARE ABOUT WHERE IT'S A LOT OF MONEY.

TYPICALLY RENTERS INSURANCE IS PRETTY CHEAP.

FOR THE MOST PART.

BUT YOU DO HAVE TO GET IT AHEAD OF TIME BECAUSE ONCE YOU'RE IN WHAT THEY REFER TO AS THE COLD AND WE'RE GOING TO GET HIT, MOST COMPANIES WILL FREEZE THAT THEY WILL NOT FILL THAT OUT.

SO IT'S BETTER TO HAVE THAT AHEAD OF TIME THAT HAVE TO REPLACE THOUSANDS, IF NOT 10'S OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS OF INSIDE YOUR HOME.

SO NOW WOULD BE THE TIME IS SOMEONE DOESN'T HAVE IT BECAUSE OBVIOUSLY THERE'S NO IMMINENT THREAT.

ABSOLUTELY WANTS THAT IMAGE THREAT OR THAT CONE.

>> HITS THIS AREA.

NOBODY WILL ENSURE OR ANYTHING.

SO AT THAT POINT, IT IS TOO LATE, OBVIOUSLY CAN PROTECT WHAT YOU CAN.

BUT IF JUST THINK ABOUT WHAT IT WOULD COST TO REPLACE ANYTHING YOU WOULD NOT WANT TO GO WITHOUT.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US TODAY.

AND YOU ARE IN ESTERO.

YES, YOU ARE CLOSE TO OUR STUDIO AND WE CERTAINLY APPRECIATE YOU COMING IN TODAY TO TALK TO US.

THAT SOUND IS VERY IMPORTANT.

YOU FOR HAVING ME VERY, VERY MUCH.

THANKS A LOT.

AS HURRICANE SEASON BEGINS TO PICK UP.

KEEP UP TODAY WITH ALL STORM-RELATED INFORMATION BY HEADING TO OUR WEBSITE WGCU DOT ORG.

>> THIS MOVING OBJECT THAT'S IN 3 DIMENSION.

SO WHAT MR IT DOES IS THAT IT CUTS INTO THE SLICES.

SO YOU END UP WITH LIKE ALMOST 1000 IMAGES ARE EVEN MORE THAN 1000 IMAGES DURING YOUR WHOLE SCAN AND JUST THINK OF A HUMAN HAVING TO READ THROUGH 1000 IMAGES AND LOOK FOR A POTENTIALLY VERY, VERY SMALL BECAUSE THESE MAYBE APPEARING ONLY LIKE 2 OR 3 IMAGES THAT TIME THAT THAT'S VERY TIME-CONSUMING, RIGHT?

AND JUST THE TRAINING NEEDED TO DO THAT AND ACTOR THE AND EFFICIENTLY.

IT JUST TAKES A REALLY LONG TIME.

>> AS THE DOCTOR JUST SAID, THE READING OF CARDIAC MRI IMAGES CAN BE TIME CONSUMING.

AND NOW A NEW AI PROGRAM IS LOOKING TO SPEED UP THAT PROCESS.

THE NEW TECHNOLOGY WORKS BY ANALYZING ALL OF THE HEART IMAGES THAT WANTS IN COMPILING IT IN A REPORT IN A MATTER OF SECONDS.

THE PROGRAM IS TRAINED TO LOOK FOR A VARIETY OF CONDITIONS.

UNLIKE OTHER AI TOOLS THAT ONLY FOCUS ON ONE SPECIFIC ISSUE.

THE GOAL IS NOT JUST TO SPEED UP THE TIME IT TAKES TO READ COMPLEX IMAGES, BUT ALSO PROVIDE MORE ACCESSIBILITY.

>> I AT LEAST TO ME, IS NOT SOMETHING THAT REPLACES HUMAN BEINGS RIGHT?

IT'S TO MAKE PEOPLE MORE EFFICIENT AND ALSO BRING THEM BACK TO THE PRACTICE OF MEDICINE.

BRING THEM BACK TO GETTING YOU IN FRONT OF PEOPLE BRINGING BACK TO NOW REALLY TAKING CARE OF THE PATIENT.

SO THIS IS JUST ANOTHER TOOL TO, YOU KNOW, MAKE THEM TAKE CARE OF PATIENTS BETTER.

>> HE IS STILL IN THE RESEARCH PHASE AND MORE WORK NEEDS TO BE DONE BEFORE IT CAN BE USED ON REAL WORLD PATIENTS EVERY YEAR OVER 795,000 PEOPLE SUFFER A STROKE IN THE UNITED STATES FOR SOME THE MEDICAL INCIDENT CAN DISRUPT DAILY LIFE AND FORCE A PERSON TO RE-LEARN SOME PRACTICES SUCH AS DRIVING WGCUS TEDDY BYRNE LEARNED ABOUT HOW ONE MOTHER GOT BACK ON THE ROAD AND REGAINED HER INDEPENDENCE.

WITH THE HELP OF A DRIVING SIMULATOR.

>> AFTER SUFFERING A STROKE THAT LEFT HER UNABLE TO WALK OR TALK.

AMANDA SHANNON WAS DETERMINED TO LEARN HOW TO DRIVE AGAIN.

I LOVE DRIVING NOW BECAUSE I'M FREE.

>> SHE WANTED NOT JUST HER FREEDOM BACK, BUT THE ABILITY TO TAKE HER KIDS TO SCHOOL SPORTS AND EVERYTHING ELSE IN BETWEEN.

DOMINIC IS MY SON IS 7.

AND THEN I HAVE ATTY.

>> SHE IS HAVE CHOIR DANCE.

SOFTBALL BASEBALL AND ALL STAFF FOR THE KIDS WILL HAVE A SON LIKE NEW DRIVERS WHO PRACTICE OUT ON THE ROAD.

>> AND HAD TO GO THROUGH INTENSIVE THERAPY THAT REQUIRED HER TO FIRST TRY ON A DRIVING SIMULATOR.

>> I DID A A.

>> IT'S LIKE IF THEY GET LIKE YOURS, 16 DRIVING STEPS THAT WE PLACE PEOPLE ON THE SIMULATOR TO SIMULATE THE DRIVING IN A SAFE ENVIRONMENT UNTIL IT'S SAFE FOR THEM TO GET IN A CAR TO CHRISTINA DUNCAN IS AN OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST.

SHE SAYS IT'S BEEN REWARDING TO WATCH A MAN TO PROGRESS.

>> SHE CONTINUES WITH OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY AS WELL AS SPEECH THERAPY.

BUT SHE'S REGAINED A LOT OF STRENGTH SINCE HER STROKE.

AMANDA SAID SHE IS GRATEFUL FOR ALL THE HELP AND ENCOURAGES OTHERS WHO HAD A STROKE TO NOT GIVE UP.

>> HOPE I GET TO FOR.

ALWAYS.

>> FIGHT FOR W G NEWS ON TEDDY BURN.

>> HERE'S ANOTHER HEALTH RELATED STATISTIC FROM THE WGCU NEWSROOM.

ACCORDING TO THE CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL, STROKE RELATED COSTS IN THE U.S.

EXCEED 56 BILLION DOLLARS EVERY YEAR.

THAT INCLUDES BOTH DIRECT CLINICAL EXPENSES, SUCH AS HOSPITALIZATIONS AND MEDICATIONS AS WELL AS IN DIRECT COSTS, INCLUDING MISSED WORK DAYS.

COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK, FLORIDA BEACHES ARE PREPARING FOR THE SUMMER SEASON CASES OF THE FLESH EATING BACTERIA START TO EMERGE.

WE FIND OUT HOW YOU CAN STAY SAFE WHEN YOU'RE GOING INTO THE WATER.

JUST AS BEACH SEASON IS ABOUT TO PICK UP THROUGHOUT FLORIDA, AT LEAST 5 CASES OF A FLESH EATING BACTERIA HAVE BEEN CONFIRMED, INCLUDING ONE IN LEE COUNTY.

THE CDC SAYS MOST PEOPLE ARE INFECTED BY EATING RAW OR UNDERCOOKED SHELLFISH LIKE OYSTERS.

BUT IN FLORIDA, HEALTH OFFICIALS WARN THAT A SPIKE IN CASES IS LINKED TO THE AFTERMATH OF MAJOR STORMS LIKE HURRICANES FOLLOWING HURRICANE IAN IN 2022, THE CDC REPORTED A SPIKE IN LEE AND COLLIER COUNTIES.

38 CASES AND 11 DEATHS LINKED TO THIS BACTERIAL INFECTION IN 2024.

AFTER HURRICANE HELENE, THE STATE OF FLORIDA SAW A RECORD 82 CASES AND 19 REPORTED DEATHS IN 2025.

NO HURRICANES MADE LANDFALL AND THE NUMBER OF CASES DROPPED ALMOST 60% TO 33, 5 DEATHS WERE REPORTED, INCLUDING ONE IN LEE COUNTY.

>> DR NORMAN BEATY AND INFECTIOUS DISEASE EXPERT AT THE UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA.

>> JOIN ME TO TELL US MORE ABOUT THE FLESH EATING BACTERIA AND WHO IS AT RISK.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US TODAY.

>> YOU THEN, THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

>> CAN YOU FIRST EXPLAIN WHAT IS THIS SO-CALLED FLESH EATING BACTERIA?

>> WELL, THE ONE WHERE THE MOST ABOUT IS KIND OF A REAL MOMENT.

THE GUESTS THIS ORGANISM IS FOUND IN ESTUARY WATERS NEAR OUR COASTLINES AND THE GOLF AND SOMETIMES IN THE ATLANTIC SIDE THAT IS THAT BACTERIA IS FOUND IN THESE WATERS.

IT'S ASSOCIATED WITH DIFFERENT CRUSTACEANS AND IT'S NATURALLY OCCURRING HERE.

BUT YOU KNOW, OVER THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS, CASES OF AN INCREASE AND THROUGHOUT THE STATE OF FLORIDA IN CERTAIN AREAS AND WE JUST WANT TO BE BRINGING AWARENESS TO THIS INFECTION BECAUSE SUMMER'S HERE RATHER BE ON THE WATERS AND ENJOYING THEM.

BUT WE NEED TO BE JUST MITIGATING SOME ARRESTS AND BEING PREPARED IF WE WERE TO GET INFECTED.

>> WHAT IS THE MOST COMMON WAY SOMEONE WOULD GET SICK FROM THIS?

>> YEAH, THAT'S THE MOST COMMON QUESTION THAT I CAN'T AT THIS TIME.

IT CAN GET THE MOST COMMON WAY THAT PERSON WILL BE INFECTED IS THROUGH A WOUND.

THE WOUND EITHER IS ACQUIRED IN THE WATER OR YOU HAVE A WORD AND YOU GO INTO THE WATER.

BUT IT'S IN THE BACTERIA ENTERS THAT WOUND AND THE INFECTION SETTLES IN.

IT CAN TAKE SEVERAL HOURS, SOMETIMES EVEN A DAY OR 2.

BUT THE ONE THING ABOUT THE THE RIVER ON IT BECAUSE INFECTIONS OF THE WOUNDS IS THAT THEY CAN BECOME RAPID AND THEM.

THAT'S ONE THING I'D LIKE TO TALK TODAY ABOUT.

>> WHY DO THESE CASES SURGE AFTER MAJOR STORMS?

>> YEAH, YOU KNOW THE WATER THAT'S NORMALLY FOUND AGAIN IN OUR ESTUARIES.

THERE ARE MANGROVES THERE.

YOU KNOW, THE TITLE POOLS, THE TITLE, THEN SOME OF THE CLIMATE RELATED SURGES ARE STORMS ARE JUST PUSH THAT WATER ON TO THE LAND.

AND WE'RE JUST MORE INCLINED TO INTERACT WITH THE NOW.

SO NOW WHEN WE HAVE THESE EVENTS, THESE WEATHER EVENTS WERE AND OUR COMMUNITY WERE CLEANING UP.

WE'RE TRACKING TO THIS WATER ACTUALLY GO INTO THE WATER TO, YOU KNOW, FOR A BOATER SOMETHING.

AND AT THAT TIME, YOU KNOW, A LOT OF THIS WATER HAS BEEN DISTURBED AND THE BACK TO WHERE, YOU KNOW, FOUND IN AREAS WHERE THEY NORMALLY WOULDN'T BE FOUND AS WELL AS WE ARE IN THE WATER AS WELL.

>> AND COULD YOU TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE FATALITY RATE AND WHY IT IS HIGH?

>> WELL, ONE OF THE REASONS WHY THE VERY REAL INFECTIONS HAVE.

HIGHER MORTALITY THAN OTHER KIND OF SKIN AND SOFT TISSUE INFECTIONS IS THE PROPENSITY OF THIS ORGANISM TO GET IN YOUR BLOODSTREAM AND CAUSE SEPSIS AND SEPTIC SHOCK AND ALSO THE HOW RAPID DOES.

MOVE UP AN EXTRA MONEY OR TRAVEL WITHIN THE TISSUES OF THE BODY.

AND WHAT WE OFTEN SEE IN PEOPLE WHO HAVE.

SO THEIR OUTCOMES IS A JUST A DELAY IN SEEKING MEDICAL ATTENTION.

AND YOU KNOW, WE'RE WE'RE NOW FIGHTING THIS INFECTION.

WHEN IT ENTERED THE BLUNDERS, KONTA DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE BODY.

AND THAT IS THAT IS WHY CAN BE SO DANGEROUS.

SO A LOT OF SKIN AND SOFT TISSUE INFECTIONS OFTEN GO INTO OUR BLOODSTREAM WITH THIS ONE.

CAN AND AND THAT'S WHY, AGAIN, IT'S A BIT MORTALITY IS HIGHER THAN OTHER TYPES OF INFECTIONS TO SEE.

>> AND THAT'S WHY RECOGNIZING THOSE SYMPTOMS ARE SO IMPORTANT.

CAN YOU WALK US THROUGH WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS, WHICH IS SOMEONE LOOK FOR?

>> YES, THIS IS A VERY IMPORTANT DISCUSSION TO HAVE ONE.

IF YOU HAVE A WOUND TO HIS HEAD AND EITHER IT ACQUIRED IN THE WATER SOUTH, HENRI OR YOU WENT INTO THE WATER WITH THAT WORD.

YOU WANT TO KEEP A CLOSE EYE ON THAT ONE FOR REDNESS THAT SURROUNDS IT, NEW PAIN THAT MAY BE PRESENT AND AND SWELLING.

AND THIS CAN MOVE PRETTY QUICKLY OVER SEVERAL HOURS.

YOU MAY SEE THAT THE THE REDNESS HAS EXPANDED DOUBLED IN SIZE AND THAT IS DEFINITELY A KEY FEATURE OF THIS.

WE WANT TO GO TALK TO A DOCTOR ABOUT THIS.

ANOTHER IMPORTANT FEATURE IS A BLISTER OR WHAT WE CALL A THAT WILL FORM NEAR THE WOUND.

AND THAT IS A HALLMARK OF THIS TYPE OF INFECTION.

AND THE PROXIMATE TO SEEK EMERGENCY MEDICAL ATTENTION.

BUT AN EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT.

I ALWAYS ASK THEM TO TELL PATIENTS AND THE PUBLIC TOO.

TO INFORM A PROVIDER HEALTH CARE PROVIDER THAT THEY'VE BEEN IN THE WATER.

THEY'VE BEEN AND WRECKAGE, WATER, SALT WATER.

AND THIS ONE WAS EXPOSED TO SO WATER JUST SO THAT THERE'S SOME OF THE MORE AWARENESS THAT THIS COULD BE AT THEIR RULING FACTION AND WE MAY WANT TO TAKE IT A LITTLE MORE SERIOUSLY.

>> WHAT SHOULD PEOPLE DO TO PROTECT THEMSELVES FROM GETTING IT?

>> WE'LL BE MINDFUL OF YOUR ACTIVITIES.

BE MINDFUL OF THE BREACHES IN THE SCANNER.

ABRASIONS CUTS, YOU KNOW, AND THEN DIFFERENT ACTIVITIES THAT WE DO.

FOR EXAMPLE, IF YOU'RE GOING OUT, WADE FISHING, YOU KNOW, TOMORROW WOULD WANT TO JUST ENSURE THAT YOUR FEET ARE PROTECTED.

YOU FROM STEPPING ON AND WASTE OR OR ACQUIRE CUT WIRE WAITING IN THE WATER.

SO JUST BE MINDFUL OF DEVELOPING ANY CUTS OR ABRASIONS AS WELL AS IF YOU DO HAVE A CUT OR AN ABRASION.

KEEP IT COVERED.

SOMEHOW, NO CLEAR DAY, SOME SORT OF ADVANTAGE ON IT THAT CAN PREVENT THE WATER FROM TOUCHING IT AND OR JUST AVOIDING THE WATER ON CNN TOO.

AND HEALS.

SO, YOU KNOW, THIS IS ONE IMPORTANT ASPECT TO STAY PROTECTED.

>> ANYTHING ELSE THAT YOU OUR OUR AUDIENCE TO KNOW ABOUT THIS?

IT'S IS A PRETTY IMPORTANT TOPIC TO DISCUSS.

I KNOW WE HAVE AT LEAST ONE CONFIRMED CASE IN LEE COUNTY RIGHT NOW WHAT ELSE WOULD YOU LIKE?

OUR AUDIENCE TO KNOW?

>> YES, I ALWAYS WANT TO PROMOTE.

I'M GOING OUT AND ENJOYING THEM.

YOU KNOW, THE FLORIDA BEACHES IN OUR WATERWAYS.

WE'RE JUST BEING MINDFUL OF THESE RISKS OF WOUNDS AND KEEPING THEM PROTECTED AS WELL AS IF YOU HAVE AN IMMUNOCOMPROMISED.

THE CONDITION ALSO BE BE CAUTIOUS WITH WITH HAVING WOUNDS AND HAVING EXPOSURE TO THE TO THIS WATER.

SO, YOU KNOW, WE IN FLORIDA, YOU KNOW, WE DO SEE OUR CASE IS STARTING TO RISE THROUGHOUT THE SUMMER AND INTO EARLY FALL.

AND IF WE'RE ABLE TO SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION EARLY, WE CAN TREAT THESE CASES AND THEY WON'T END UP BECOMING SO SEVERE AND THEN PLACING SOMEBODY IN A AT THAT RISK.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US TODAY.

DOCTOR.

>> NO ONE FROM EVERYBODY.

>> FROM HEALTH ALERTS TO MEDICAL BREAKTHROUGHS.

BE SURE YOU ARE ON TOP OF ALL THE HEALTH HAPPENINGS THAT MATTER BY CHECKING OUT OUR WEBSITE AGAIN, IT'S WGCU DOT ORG.

COMING UP ON OUR NEXT PROGRAM, UNDERSTANDING THE FUTURE OF FLORIDA'S PROPERTY TAXES.

WE BREAK DOWN THE PROPOSAL FROM STATE LAWMAKERS THAT WILL BE DECIDED THIS FALL BY FLORIDA VOTERS.

AND THANKS AGAIN FOR JOINING US.

MAKE SURE YOU HEAD TO WTC DOT ORG.

THAT'S WHERE YOU'LL FIND ALL OF OUR STORIES.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU AGAIN RIGHT HERE ON SOUTHWEST FLORIDA IN FOCUS.