Louisiana reports five deaths from Vibrio vulnificus infections this year
The Louisiana Department of Health said five people have died and nine have been infected with Vibrio vulnificus, a bacteria linked to warm coastal waters, after entering seawater with open wounds.
Five deaths have been recorded in Louisiana this year from infections caused by Vibrio vulnificus, a bacterium that thrives in warm coastal waters, the state health department reported. Nine people have been diagnosed with the infection, all of whom had open wounds that came into contact with seawater and pre-existing medical conditions.
The department noted that the bacteria is more prevalent from May through October when water temperatures rise. Infections can also result from eating raw or undercooked shellfish, particularly oysters.
"People with severe infections may require intensive care or limb amputation," officials warned, adding that about one in five infected individuals die, often within a day or two of symptom onset.
Typical symptoms include fever, redness, swelling and pain at the wound site, while more serious cases may progress to bloodstream infection, septic shock or necrotizing fasciitis. The CDC recommends testing wound, stool or blood samples to confirm infection, increasing fluid intake for mild cases, and antibiotics or surgery for severe cases.
Health officials advise avoiding warm salt or brackish water when cuts or scrapes are present, and recommend against consuming raw oysters or other raw shellfish. Protective gloves should be used when handling raw seafood.