5 dead, 4 hospitalized in Louisiana from flesh-eating bacteria outbreak: health officials

BATON ROUGE, La. (TNND) — A rare bacteria found in warm coastal waters has killed five people in Louisiana, with state health officials warning residents to take precautions.

The Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) on Thursday said nine cases of Vibrio vulnificus have been reported in the state so far this year, marking a sharp increase in deaths linked to the infection.The news comes as a second person in Florida died due to the infection, while cases rise in Maryland. Vibrio vulnificus is a potentially deadly bacterium found naturally in warm coastal waters, according to LDH. It can infect people who consume raw or undercooked shellfish, particularly oysters, or who expose open wounds to warm saltwater or brackish water where the bacteria naturally occur.While infections are uncommon, they can become life-threatening, especially for people with weakened immune systems, chronic liver disease, diabetes, or other underlying health conditions. Health officials urged residents to avoid exposing cuts, scrapes or recent surgical wounds to coastal waters. Anyone with an open wound who enters saltwater should wash the area thoroughly with soap and clean water as soon as possible. LDH also advised people at higher risk of severe illness to avoid eating raw oysters and other undercooked shellfish. The agency said symptoms of Vibrio vulnificus infection include fever, redness, pain, swelling, or warmth around the wound, skin discoloration, as well as drainage or discharge.Officials said anyone experiencing signs of infection after eating raw seafood or after exposure to coastal waters should seek immediate medical attention.