Louisiana health officials are warning residents to take precautions against a flesh-eating bacterial infection, known as Vibrio vulnificus, following the deaths of five people this year. The Louisiana Department of Health issued a warning about the infection in a press release, stating that nine people have been infected this year and five have died.
According to the department, all of this year’s reported cases were linked to wounds exposed to seawater, and all patients had underlying health conditions. Vibrio bacteria naturally live in coastal waters, and are more common in the summer when water temperatures rise. People can contract the infection by eating raw or undercooked shellfish, particularly oysters, or when an open wound comes into contact with coastal waters.
Risk Factors and Symptoms
About 1 in 5 people with a Vibrio vulnificus infection die, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). While anyone can be infected, those most at risk include people with liver disease, cancer, diabetes, HIV or thalassemia; people undergoing immune-suppressing treatment; people taking medication that reduces stomach acid; and people who recently had stomach surgery. Symptoms of the infection include watery diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting, fever and chills.
The Louisiana Department of Health urged residents to seek medical care immediately if a wound exposed to brackish or salt water becomes red, swollen, painful, warm or discolored, and to tell their health care provider about the water exposure. The department also noted that the state saw a similar spike in Vibrio infection last year, with at least 17 cases reported in the state.
Comparing to Previous Years
By comparison, Louisiana averaged seven cases and one death annually over the previous 10 years during the same time period. At least 10 people in Florida, Louisiana and the Outer Banks of North Carolina died from the infection last year, according to health officials. The recent spike in cases has prompted health officials to warn residents to take precautions when engaging in water activities, especially those with open wounds or underlying health conditions.
Prevention and Awareness
The Louisiana Department of Health is urging residents to be aware of the risks associated with Vibrio vulnificus and to take necessary precautions to prevent infection. This includes avoiding eating raw or undercooked shellfish, particularly oysters, and taking care to properly clean and dress wounds exposed to coastal waters. By taking these precautions, residents can reduce their risk of contracting the infection and prevent further deaths.
Steve Lopez is the Editorial Page Editor for News Raise. He covers Health. He has won more than a dozen national journalism awards for his reporting and column writing at seven newspapers and four news magazines.
