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La. (KPLC) – A bacteria most people have never heard of has already claimed five lives in Louisiana this year and the one parish official says cases have hit close to home
Calcasieu Parish Coroner Dr. Joseph Dressler issued a public health notice warning residents and visitors about Vibrio vulnificus, a naturally occurring bacteria found in warm coastal and brackish waters
“We have had a few patients in the area, Calcasieu and Cameron area, some resulting in amputation and death,” Dressler said. “And I’ve actually spoke with physicians who have been involved with cases and heeding warning and just wanting to help get the message out.”
Vibrio vulnificus thrives in warm coastal and brackish waters, particularly between May and October. As of Aug. 5, Louisiana has reported nine confirmed cases of infection — including five deaths. During the same period over the previous ten years, the state averaged seven cases and just one death per year
All nine cases reported this year were linked to open wounds exposed to seawater. Every patient had underlying health conditions
“Open wounds, cuts in their extremities that they might view as minor if exposed to salt water and brackish water, coastal waters, and the level of temperatures that we’re seeing now it creates a good environment for this organism to seek infection,” Dressler said
Dressler says the infection is aggressive and can escalate rapidly leading to bloodstream infection, intensive care treatment, limb amputation, or death. And once symptoms appear, every minute counts
“More importantly, how quickly they were able to seek medical care is a big component because the disease is so aggressive,” he said
In many cases, lab cultures confirming Vibrio are not returned until after a patient has already recovered, lost a limb or died
While anyone with an open wound can be infected, certain groups face a significantly higher risk:
- People with chronic liver or kidney disease
- People with diabetes
- People with weakened immune systems
- People undergoing immunosuppressive therapy
- People with cancer
- Older adults
Dressler says these patients should take particular care to avoid exposing broken skin to warm coastal water
Health officials recommend the following precautions:
- Keep open wounds out of salt or brackish water, including coastal floodwater
- Cover cuts and wounds with waterproof bandages if contact with coastal water is possible
- Wash any exposed wounds immediately with soap and clean running water
- Cook oysters and shellfish thoroughly and wear gloves when handling raw seafood
- Seek immediate medical care if an exposed wound becomes red, swollen, painful, warm, or discolored or if fever develops
- Tell your doctor about any recent water exposure
- If you have been in coastal or brackish water and notice any of the following go to the emergency room immediately:
- Redness, warmth, or swelling around a wound
Do not wait. Dressler says this infection can turn life-threatening within hours
While Vibrio vulnificus can also be contracted by eating raw or undercooked shellfish, Dressler confirmed that all nine cases reported in Louisiana this year were linked to water exposure not food consumption
- Discharge or discoloration
- Fever
- Rapid worsening of symptoms
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