5 dead, 4 hospitalized in Louisiana from flesh-eating bacteria outbreak: health officials
byJESSICA A. BOTELHO | The National News Desk
Sat, August 8, 2026 at 7:08 AM
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5 dead, 4 hospitalized in Louisiana from flesh-eating bacteria outbreak: health officials (File photo: The National News Desk)
BATON ROUGE, La. (TNND) —A rare bacteria found in warm coastal waters has killed five people in Louisiana, with state health officials warning residents to take precautions
The Louisiana Department of Health(LDH) on Thursday said nine cases of Vibrio vulnificus have been reported in the state so far this year, marking a sharp increase in deaths linked to the infection
“All nine patients were hospitalized, and five died,” LDH said in a news release. “During the same period over the previous 10 years, Louisiana reported an average of seven cases and one death. All nine cases reported this year were associated with wounds exposed to seawater, and all patients had underlying health conditions.”
The news comes as a second person in Florida died due to the infection, while cases rise in Maryland
Vibrio vulnificus is a potentially deadly bacterium found naturally in warm coastal waters It can infect people who consume raw or undercooked shellfish, particularly oysters, or who expose open wounds to warm saltwater or brackish water where the bacteria naturally occur
5 dead, 4 hospitalized in Louisiana from flesh-eating bacteria outbreak: health officials (File photo: The National News Desk)
While infections are uncommon, they can become life-threatening, especially for people with weakened immune systems, chronic liver disease, diabetes, or other underlying health conditions
Health officials urged residents to avoid exposing cuts, scrapes or recent surgical wounds to coastal waters. Anyone with an open wound who enters saltwater should wash the area thoroughly with soap and clean water as soon as possible
LDH also advised people at higher risk of severe illness to avoid eating raw oysters and other undercooked shellfish
The agency said symptoms of Vibrio vulnificus infection include fever, redness, pain, swelling, or warmth around the wound, skin discoloration, as well as drainage or discharge
“Signs of a bloodstream infection include fever, chills, dangerously low blood pressure, and blistering skin lesions,” LDH said. “Common gastrointestinal symptoms of Vibrio infection include watery diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting, fever, and chills.”
Officials said anyone experiencing signs of infection after eating raw seafood or after exposure to coastal waters should seek immediate medical attention
