Louisiana reports 5 deaths, 9 cases of flesh-eating bacteria

As the summer season continues to bring people to the beach, the Louisiana Health Department warns to take precautions against a potentially fatal flesh-eating bacteria found in warm coastal waters. Officials confirmed nine cases this year and five deaths.

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.