Health officials in Louisiana are advising beachgoers to take precautions following a summertime increase in infections from Vibrio vulnificus, a bacteria found in coastal waters.
This year, Louisiana has confirmed nine cases of Vibrio vulnificus infections, all of which required hospitalisation, and five of these cases were fatal. This compares to an average of seven cases and one death during the same period over the past decade.
The bacteria thrive in seawater and brackish water, with most infections reported between May and October. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that Vibrio vulnificus is the most deadly type of Vibrio bacteria, with up to one in five infections proving fatal.
Infections can occur when the bacteria enter the body through breaks in the skin, such as cuts or scrapes, after contact with ocean or brackish water. Some individuals also become infected by eating raw or undercooked shellfish, particularly oysters.
Officials recommend seeking immediate medical care if a wound exposed to brackish or salt water becomes red, swollen, painful, warm, or discoloured. After contact with coastal waters or raw seafood, cuts and scrapes should be thoroughly washed with soap and clean running water.