Louisiana warns beachgoers amid surge in flesh-eating bacteria infections
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 vulnificus infections this year, the state’s health department said last week…
Louisiana authorities are cautioning beachgoers as there has been a rise in cases of a "flesh-eating" bacterium in coastal waters. Health officials have reported nine instances of Vibrio vulnificus infections this year, including five fatalities, which is higher than the annual average over the past decade. If a wound exposed to brackish or salt water becomes red, swollen, painful, warm or discolored, medical attention should be sought immediately.
The mostly deadly type of Vibrio, Vibrio vulnificus, thrives in warm, salty seawater and estuaries. The bacterium can enter the body through cuts, piercings, tattoos, or surgical incisions, leading to severe symptoms and septic shock within hours. In recent years, Louisiana has seen a significant increase in cases, with the Gulf of Mexico providing an ideal environment for the bacterium to proliferate.
While infections are rare, they are much more lethal compared to other types of Vibrio bacteria. Florida has also reported cases and fatalities, and scientists attribute the rise in infections to climate change and the warming of oceans.
Written by urgent.news from The Guardian US's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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