Two more people have died after eating oysters contaminated with a flesh-eating bacteria that thrives in warm coastal waters. The fatal cases were traced back to oysters harvested in Louisiana and were consumed in restaurants located in Louisiana and Florida.
The deadly bacteria, known as Vibrio vulnificus, have now caused a total of six deaths and 34 cases in Louisiana this year, health officials confirmed to WBRZ. (Yahoo has also reached out to the Louisiana Department of Health to confirm the numbers and is awaiting a response.) In Florida, there have been five deaths and 23 cases, according to the state’s health department.
North Carolina has also seen seven cases from January through July 2025. (Yahoo is awaiting a response from the state’s Department of Health and Human Services regarding updated case numbers.)
Vibrio vulnificus cases are considered rare, with between 100 and 200 infections reported in the U.S. each year, according to Cleveland Clinic. However, many people with an infection can become seriously ill, requiring intensive care or limb amputation. “About 1 in 5 people with this infection die, sometimes within a day or two of becoming ill,” according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Does this mean you should avoid the ocean altogether? Here’s what to know and what safety measures to keep in mind:
What is ‘Vibrio vulnificus’?
Vibrio are a type of bacteria that thrive in warm coastal waters during the summer months from May to October. This includes salt water and brackish water, which is a mixture of salt and fresh water often found where rivers meet the ocean. The bacteria are found particularly along the Gulf Coast states like Florida, Louisiana, Texas, Alabama and Mississippi.
There are different kinds of Vibrio that can lead to various infections. Vibrio vulnificus can be particularly dangerous because it can cause severe and life-threatening infections. This specific type of bacteria is known as “flesh-eating” because it can destroy muscle tissue and skin. “Many people with [Vibrio] vulnificus wound infection require intensive care or surgical tissue removal,” the CDC says.
How do people get infected?
There are two ways that people can get infected:
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When a person’s open wound is exposed to ocean water or seafood contaminated with Vibrio bacteria. A small cut, scrape or wound from a recent surgery, piercing or tattoo can allow bacteria in. This can happen when a person goes swimming or fishing or prepares raw seafood.
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When someone eats raw or undercooked seafood or ingests contaminated water while swimming. Oysters, in particular, can concentrate the Vibrio bacteria inside them.
What are the symptoms of a ‘Vibrio’ infection?
These are the common signs and symptoms of a Vibrio infection, according to the CDC:
Signs of a Vibrio bloodstream infection:
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Dangerously low blood pressure
Signs of a Vibrio wound infection:
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Discoloration (turning a color other than normal)
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Discharge (leaking fluids)
Cleveland Clinic and the CDC advise people to go to the emergency room immediately if there are signs of a suspected Vibrio vulnificus infection.
Are some people more at risk of an infection?
Anyone can become infected with the bacteria through a wound. People with underlying health conditions like liver disease, diabetes and immunocompromising conditions are at higher risk for wound infection, according to the CDC.
How can people stay safe?
Florida’s health department and the CDC provide some tips to prevent Vibrio vulnificus infections:
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Don’t eat raw oysters and other raw shellfish. Instead, cook them thoroughly.
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Avoid cross contamination with raw seafood and other cooked food or shellfish.
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If you have an open wound or broken skin, avoid warm salt or brackish water, if possible.
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Cover your wound with a waterproof bandage if it could come into contact with coastal water, raw seafood or its drippings or juices.
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Wear protective gloves or clothing when handling raw shellfish.
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Be vigilant after coastal floods, hurricanes and storm surges. Coastal waters forced into inland areas increase the risk for Vibrio wound infections, particularly for people who are older or who have underlying health conditions.
