A Gulf Coast state is reporting an increase in deadly bacteria cases this summer.
Health officials in Louisiana say there have been 17 cases of Vibrio vulnificus so far this year, and four have been fatal. That’s up from an average of seven cases and one death annually over the same time period the previous 10 years, the state health department said this week.
The bacteria can infect people exposed to warm coastal waters and have open wounds or who eat undercooked seafood, especially oysters.
“This is a very scary-sounding bacteria, Vibrio vulnificus. Fortunately, it is rare, but it can be very deadly,” Dr. Alok Patel told ABC News.
The Alabama Department of Public Health did not immediately respond to a request for data on the number of cases currently in the state.
Florida officials have confirmed 13 cases and four deaths this year.
Of the cases in Louisiana, 75% were from people who swam in coastal waters and had open wounds, the department said.
Signs of wound infection with the bacteria include fever, swelling, discharge, redness, pain and discoloration. Gastrointestinal symptoms include nausea, watery diarrhea, stomach cramps and vomiting, the department said.
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