A man in his 40s was critically injured in a shark attack off Amelia Island in northeast Florida, just weeks after three people were injured in shark attacks off Florida’s Gulf Coast. The victim sustained a severe bite to his right arm and was hospitalized in critical condition. This incident follows three back-to-back shark attacks on June 7, where two teenagers and a woman were injured. The woman lost her lower left arm and suffered significant trauma to other parts of her body, while the teenagers had injuries to their leg, hand, and foot.
This attack in Nassau County is only the ninth confirmed unprovoked shark attack since 1882 in the area, with the last attack occurring in July 2018. Florida has seen a total of 351 shark attacks, with Volusia County leading the state in incidents. The chances of being attacked by a shark in Florida are 1 in 11.5 million, and fatal shark bites are extremely rare.
To avoid shark attacks, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission recommends staying in groups, avoiding being in the water during darkness or twilight hours, and not entering the water if bleeding from an open wound. Additionally, avoiding waters with known discharges or sewage, using extra caution in murky waters, and swimming only in areas with lifeguards are important precautions to take. Never harass a shark and exit the water if sharks are present.
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