Louisiana health officials warn beachgoers of flesh-eating bacteria

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.

One in five people die from infections - often within just two days

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

Boat Capsizes in NYC, Flesh-Eating Bacteria, Tupac Trial and more  CNN

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

Louisiana has confirmed nine cases of Vibrio vulnificus infections this year, the state's health department said last week in a news release. All were hospitalized, and five died.

Louisiana has confirmed nine cases of Vibrio vulnificus infections this year, the state’s health department said last week in a news release. All were hospitalized, and five died. During the same period over the previous decade, Louisiana reported an average of seven cases and one death.

Health officials urge caution for Gulf Coast beachgoers during surge of deadly bacterial infections  Toronto Star

Health officials in Louisiana are urging beachgoers to take precautions during a summertime surge in infections from a flesh-eating bacteria

Health officials urge caution for Gulf Coast beachgoers during surge of deadly bacterial infections  AP News

Flesh-Eating Bacteria Louisiana Outbreak: 5 Dead Via Vibrio Vulnificus  Forbes

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.