A ‘flesh-eating bacteria’ is spreading worldwide. Here’s how to protect yourself

Vibrio vulnificus is once again threatening the safety of beachgoers and raw shellfish enthusiasts

_Vibrio vulnificus_ infections are spreading across the U.S. because of climate change CDC/Colorized by James Gathany Flesh-eating bacteria sounds like the premise of a bad horror movie, but it’s a growing – and potentially fatal – threat to people in the U.S. and beyond. Vibrio vulnificus, a type of flesh-eating bacte

Beachgoers in several southern states have been warned to proceed with caution after several more deaths were reported in people who contracted vibriosis, an infection from a bacteria that can cause "flesh-eating" disease.

As deaths from flesh-eating bacteria rise along the Gulf Coast, with seven fatalities and over thirty infections this year, health officials are urgently warning beachgoers to avoid warm seawater.

Out of the nine cases reported this year, all were taken to the hospital, and five people died.

The Louisiana Department of Health said nine people have been infected by the flesh-eating bacteria this year and five have died as a result.

Health officials are urging caution as cases rise. The potentially deadly bacteria can strike in more ways that one and some people face greater risks.

Vibrio vulnificus, a so-called flesh-eating bacterium, lurks in warm coastal waters and can enter the body through open wounds or from eating raw shellfish.

State confirms nine cases, including five deaths, from Vibrio vulnificus organism, which thrives in seawater Health officials in Louisiana are urging beachgoers to take precautions during a summertime surge in infections from a flesh-eating bacterium found in coastal waters. Louisiana has confirmed nine cases of Vibrio

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“Seek medical care immediately if a wound exposed to brackish or salt water becomes red, swollen, painful, warm or discolored."

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According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 80,000 cases of vibriosis occur in the U.S. each year.

Louisiana health officials are urging residents to take precautions against a flesh-eating bacterial infection following the deaths of five people this year.

Health officials have urged caution around coastal waters and raw oysters amid deadly Vibrio vulnificus infections.

Five deaths in Louisiana from Vibrio vulnificus mark a sharp rise, as all nine cases involved open wounds exposed to warm seawater this year.

Vibrio vulnificus thrives in warm coastal waters, and people can get sickened by it through raw shellfish or open wounds.