Five Louisiana Residents Die After Vibrio vulnificus Infections
Five people in Louisiana have died and four remain hospitalized after contracting Vibrio vulnificus, a bacteria found in warm coastal waters, according to the state health department.
The Louisiana Department of Health reported Thursday that five residents have died from Vibrio vulnificus infections, with four additional patients receiving treatment in hospitals. All nine confirmed cases this year involved individuals with pre-existing health conditions, and each infection was linked to wounds exposed to seawater.
Vibrio vulnificus is typically present in warm coastal waters from May through October. Infection can occur when an open wound contacts brackish or salt water, or when raw or undercooked seafood is consumed. Over the past decade, Louisiana averaged seven cases and one death annually.
Health officials note that people with liver disease, diabetes, cancer, HIV, or weakened immune systems are at higher risk of severe outcomes, including intensive-care admission, limb amputation, or death. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises at-risk individuals to avoid raw oysters or undercooked shellfish, keep wounds covered in brackish water, and wear protective gloves when handling seafood.
The department urged residents to stay out of brackish or salt water if they have open wounds, to cover cuts with waterproof bandages, to wash any exposed injuries with soap and clean water, and to seek immediate medical care if signs of infection appear.