The CDC has issued a HAN Report about severe Vibrio vulnificus infections that are associated with warming coastal waters. The report is to notify healthcare providers, laboratories, and public health departments about recent reports of fatal Vibrio vulnificus infections from food and infected wounds, and to warn the public about this issue. Vibrio causes about 80,000 human illnesses every year in the United States. About a dozen species of this pathogen are pathogenic to humans. Vibrio parahaemolyticus causes the most infections, follow by Vibrio alginolyticus. About 150 to 200 Vibrio vulnificus infections are reported to the CDC every year. About 20% of these infections are fatal. Vibrio species live in coastal waters, including salt water and brackish water, which is a mixture … [Read more...]
Vibrio Vulnificus Death in Suffolk County, New York Prompts Warning
A Vibrio vulnificus death in Suffolk County, New York has prompted warnings to the public from Governor Kathy Hochul as well as theNew York State Department of Health. Vibrio vulnificus is a dangerous pathogen that has a 33% mortality rate. Officials are investigating to see if the deceased person contracted this infection in New York waters or elsewhere. Fatal cases of vibriosis have also occurred in neighboring Connecticut. Governor Holchul said in a statement, "While rare, the vibrio bacteria has unfortunately made it to this region and can be extraordinarily dangerous. As we investigate further, it is critical that all New Yorkers stay vigilant and take responsible precautions to keep themselves and their loved ones safe, including protecting open wounds from seawater and for … [Read more...]
Three North Carolina Vibrio Deaths; One From Seafood
Three North Carolina Vibrio deaths are linked to going into brackish water, but one patient also ate seafood harvested in those waters that was personally caught and not shared or commercially distributed. The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) is urging caution. No links have been established between the cases or the areas where they were likely exposed to the pathogen. The press release did not state whether the illnesses were from Vibrio vulnificus or from Vibrio parahaemolyticus, but the were probably the former. Vibrio vulnificus infections are more severe, and one out of five patients infected with that pathogen die. Vibrio are bacteria that live in seawater or brackish water (which is mixed salt and fresh water). Anyone with open wounds, cuts, … [Read more...]
Raw Shellfish Linked to Severe Vibrio Outbreak in Connecticut
Raw shellfish is linked to a severe Vibrio outbreak in Connecticut, according to the Connecticut State Department of Public Health. Since July 1, 2023, three cases of Vibrio vulnificus have been reported. Those patients consumed raw shellfish or were exposed to salt or brackish water along Long Island Sound. The patient age range is from 60 to 80 years of age. All three patients were hospitalized, and one died. One patient reported eating raw oysters from an out-of-state establishment that was not named in the press release. Two of the patients reported exposure to the water in Long Island Sound. Both of those patients had pre-existing open cuts or wounds or sustained wounds during these activities. DPH Commissioner Manisha Juthani, MD, said in a statement, "The identification of … [Read more...]
Missouri Man Dies After Eating Vibrio Contaminated Raw Oysters
A Missouri man has died after eating Vibrio contaminated raw oysters purchased from The Fruit Stand & Seafood located at 14433 Manchester Road in Manchester, Missouri, according to the St. Louis County Health Department. The serotype is Vibrio vulnificus. All remaining oysters have been embargoed, and anyone who bought oysters from that establishment recently should not eat them and should discard them in a sealed container. While this is not technically an outbreak because one person got sick, the illness is serious and a warning is necessary. The press release said that the oysters were probably contaminated when the establishment received them, and were not contaminated at the farmers market stand. Public health officials are trying to find the source of these oysters. The … [Read more...]
How Do You Know If You Have a Vibrio Vulnificus Infection?
How do you know if you have a Vibrio vulnificus infection? This illness, which has a 33% mortality rate, can be very serious. The bacteria is carried by raw seafood, especially oysters. Vibrio vulnificus can cause food poisoning, and it can also sometimes cause necrotizing fasciitis, otherwise known as an infection of "flesh-eating bacteria." There are several Vibrio serotypes that cause human illness. Vibrio vulnificus causes the most serious, and vibrio parahaemolyticus also causes illness, although it is generally less serious. Vibrio vulnificus is the leading cause of death linked to seafood consumption in the United States. It is commonly found in the Gulf of Mexico, in higher concentrations in the summer. This pathogen lives in warm seawater, especially water that is … [Read more...]
