How to protect yourself from flesh-eating bacteria as concern grows for swimmers

At least seven people along the Gulf have died from a rare but deadly flesh-eating bacteria that's found in warmer waters. Mark Strassmann reports.

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 bacteria 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.

The number of reported infections this year is significantly higher than average

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

Five of nine Louisiana residents infected with flesh-eating bacteria died as a result of the infection this year, reflecting a steady increase in infection rate and severity.

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