CDC reports Vibrio vulnificus found in Long Island waters

The U. S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced that the bacterium Vibrio vulnificus had been detected in Long Island waterways. Vibrio vulnificus, which thrives in warm coastal waters, can cause severe infections, particularly in people with open wounds or compromised immune systems.

The detection marks an expansion of the pathogen’s range beyond its traditional presence along the Gulf Coast. CDC officials, including Dr. Carlos Arias, warned residents to avoid contact with warm water if they have wounds and to cook shellfish thoroughly before consumption. The agency’s advisory aims to reduce the risk of potentially life-threatening illness among vulnerable populations.