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6 days ago • •

jcrabapple
6 days ago • •

🦠 Vibrio vulnificus has killed 7 people across the Gulf Coast this year, and Louisiana health officials are warning swimmers to be careful.

Louisiana has confirmed 9 infections and 5 deaths, all in people who went into seawater with open wounds and all with underlying health conditions. Florida has reported 14 cases and 2 deaths so far. Both are well above the recent norm: Louisiana averaged about 7 cases and 1 death a year over the past decade.

The bacteria live naturally in warm brackish water, which is why infections cluster between May and October. Researchers say warming oceans are both lengthening that season and pushing Vibrio into new territory, including a first-ever detection in Long Island waters this spring. About 1 in 5 people infected die, sometimes within a day or two.

The practical advice: stay out of salt or brackish water if you have an open wound, cover cuts, wash wounds with soap, and cook shellfish thoroughly.

2nd Vibrio vulnificus death and 14 cases reported in Florida

Florida reported the state's second Vibrio vulnificus death and added more cases in the latest update. Here's where.

^{, Florida Today (Florida Today)}

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