Vibrio vulnificus bacteria death toll reaches double digits in the US

Key Points:

• Health officials in the U.S. are warning about a rise in deaths and infections linked to the flesh-eating bacteria Vibrio vulnificus, with Florida reporting 4 deaths from 21 cases and Louisiana 6 deaths from 17 cases this year.
• Vibrio vulnificus is a rare bacteria found in warm saltwater and brackish water, infecting people through open wounds or by consuming raw or undercooked shellfish, especially oysters.
• The infection can cause severe, life-threatening illness, particularly in individuals with weakened immune systems or chronic liver disease, with about 20% of cases resulting in death, sometimes within days.
• Health officials advise avoiding raw or undercooked shellfish, preventing cross-contamination, wearing protective clothing when handling seafood, and keeping wounds away from warm saltwater to reduce infection risk.
• The CDC urges prompt medical treatment if symptoms such as fever, chills, low blood pressure, or blistering skin lesions develop after potential exposure, without waiting for specialist consultation or lab confirmation.