Five people have died in Louisiana from flesh-eating bacteria infections so far in 2026, state health officials said on August 6.
A total of nine cases of Vibrio vulnificus bacteria have been reported in 2026 in the state, the Louisiana Department of Health reported. All nine patients had underlying health conditions and were hospitalized after wounds had been exposed to seawater, officials said.
Vibrio vulnificus is often called "flesh-eating bacteria" because an infection can eat away at flesh around a wound. Infections can occur when an open wound is exposed to salt water or brackish water, where rivers meet the ocean and fresh water mixes with salt water, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Louisiana health officials warned residents to take precautions to prevent infections because the bacterium's presence increases as coastal waters get warmer. Cases in Louisiana are higher than in past years, officials said. During the same period over the previous 10 years, Louisiana reported an annual average of seven cases and one death.
Florida recently reported its second Vibrio vulnificus infection death of the year.
#vibrio #water #flesh
A total of nine cases of Vibrio vulnificus bacteria have been reported in 2026 in the state, the Louisiana Department of Health reported. All nine patients had underlying health conditions and were hospitalized after wounds had been exposed to seawater, officials said.
Vibrio vulnificus is often called "flesh-eating bacteria" because an infection can eat away at flesh around a wound. Infections can occur when an open wound is exposed to salt water or brackish water, where rivers meet the ocean and fresh water mixes with salt water, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Louisiana health officials warned residents to take precautions to prevent infections because the bacterium's presence increases as coastal waters get warmer. Cases in Louisiana are higher than in past years, officials said. During the same period over the previous 10 years, Louisiana reported an annual average of seven cases and one death.
Florida recently reported its second Vibrio vulnificus infection death of the year.
#vibrio #water #flesh
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