Story perspectives

Five Die as Nine Contract Vibrio from Seawater Wounds

8/8/2026

Summary

Story summary

Louisiana Department of Health reports nine Vibrio vulnificus infections and five deaths in 2026, all from seawater-exposed wounds.
All patients were hospitalized, had underlying conditions, and were exposed to bacteria that thrive in waters, infecting via open wounds or raw oysters.
Officials, noting CDC and LDH data that mortality is one in five, advise avoiding seawater with open wounds, covering wounds, cooking seafood thoroughly, and wearing gloves for raw shellfish.

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Story summary

Louisiana Department of Health reports nine Vibrio vulnificus infections and five deaths in 2026, all from seawater-exposed wounds.
All patients were hospitalized, had underlying conditions, and were exposed to bacteria that thrive in waters, infecting via open wounds or raw oysters.
Officials, noting CDC and LDH data that mortality is one in five, advise avoiding seawater with open wounds, covering wounds, cooking seafood thoroughly, and wearing gloves for raw shellfish.