Louisiana: Two people have died in the US state of Louisiana after contracting flesh-eating bacteria from consuming contaminated raw oysters.
According to Philippines News Agency, these deaths were confirmed during a meeting of the Louisiana Oyster Task Force, which reviewed recent data on illnesses linked to the consumption of oysters from the state.
One of the victims was a resident of Louisiana, while the other was from out of state, as confirmed by a spokesperson. Both deaths were attributed to Vibrio vulnificus, a bacterium naturally found in warm coastal waters. This bacterium is more prevalent during the warmer months from May to October.
Health officials have warned that Vibrio bacteria can cause serious illness if an open wound comes into contact with coastal waters or if a person consumes raw or undercooked seafood. In addition to the two deaths linked to oyster consumption, Louisiana’s Health Department reported two other fatalities this year attributed to the same bacteria.
The state has witnessed a rise in Vibrio vulnificus cases and deaths this year, with 22 reported hospitalizations so far. Over 80 percent of the cases involved open wounds exposed to seawater. Louisiana is not alone in experiencing increased case numbers connected to this bacterium, as Florida’s Health Department has also reported 23 Vibrio vulnificus cases this year, five of which resulted in death.
