Five deaths reported in Louisiana from Vibrio vulnificus infections in 2026
Louisiana health officials said five people have died and nine have been hospitalized with Vibrio vulnificus infections this year, a rise from the ten-year average.
Five people have died in Louisiana after contracting Vibrio vulnificus infections in 2026, state health officials reported on August 6. The Louisiana Department of Health said nine cases have been confirmed, all involving patients with underlying medical conditions who were hospitalized after wounds were exposed to seawater or brackish water.
Vibrio vulnificus, often referred to as “flesh-eating bacteria,” can cause rapid tissue damage, sepsis and, in severe cases, death. The bacterium thrives in warm coastal waters, and officials noted that higher water temperatures this year have contributed to an increase in cases compared with the ten-year average of seven infections and one death per year.
Health authorities warned residents to avoid contact between open wounds and salt or brackish water, to cover any cuts with waterproof bandages, and to wash skin thoroughly after exposure. They also advised people at higher risk – such as those with liver disease, diabetes or weakened immune systems – to wear protective clothing when near coastal waters and to ensure seafood, especially oysters, is fully cooked before consumption.
The report comes as neighboring states also see rises in Vibrio infections; Florida recorded its second death from the bacterium this year, while Alabama and Mississippi reported ten and two cases respectively.