This 2005 electron microscope image provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows Vibrio vulnificus bacteria. (Janice Haney Carr/Centers for Disease Control and Prevention via AP, File)
BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — Health officials in Louisiana are urging beachgoers to take precautions during a summertime surge in infections from a flesh-eating bacteriafound in coastal waters.
Louisiana has confirmed nine cases of Vibrio vulnificus infections this year, the state’s health department said last week in a news release. All were hospitalized, and five died. During the same period over the previous decade, Louisiana reported an average of seven cases and one death.
“Seek medical care immediately if a wound exposed to brackish or salt water becomes red, swollen, painful, warm or discolored,” officials said in the release. “Tell the health care provider about the water exposure.”
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