Deadly ‘flesh-eating’ bacteria in raw seafood kills 1 in SC

Key Points:

• South Carolina health officials warn of vibriosis, a potentially deadly bacterial infection linked to eating raw seafood or exposure to brackish coastal waters, as oyster season begins; one death and two additional cases have been reported this year.
• Vibrio vulnificus, the bacterium causing vibriosis, can lead to severe infections including necrotizing fasciitis ("flesh-eating bacteria"), with symptoms developing within 24 hours and potentially fatal outcomes if untreated, especially in people with weakened immune systems.
• While infections are rare, cases have also been reported in Florida, Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi, and Texas, with Florida recording four deaths and 22 cases this season, often linked to flooding from major storms.
• South Carolina health officials emphasize the risk remains very low, advising against panic and recommending cooking seafood thoroughly, avoiding exposure of open wounds to coastal waters, and seeking medical care if symptoms such as redness or swelling occur after exposure.
• The state’s oyster harvesting season starts October 1, coinciding with the typical peak Vibrio vulnificus season (May to October), prompting officials to urge caution but reassure the public that infections are uncommon and preventable.