What you need to know about the rise of Vibrio vulnificus infections in Louisiana
Health officials say all nine Louisiana cases this year involved wounds exposed to seawater, and five patients died.
- On Thursday, the Louisiana Department of Health reported nine Vibrio vulnificus cases this year, with five deaths and four hospitalizations. Every infected patient had underlying health conditions and contracted the bacteria through open wounds exposed to seawater.
- Vibrio bacteria occur naturally in warm coastal waters and thrive between May and October when temperatures rise. Officials confirmed every case this year involved skin breaks exposed to seawater rather than consumption of raw shellfish.
- Severe infections can cause necrotizing fasciitis, sometimes requiring intensive care or limb amputation, Louisiana health officials warned. Residents should cover open wounds with waterproof bandages and wash thoroughly with soap after potential exposure.
- The current toll already exceeds Louisiana's 10-year annual average of seven cases and one death. LDH warned the situation could worsen during the coming months as hurricane season flooding increases exposure risks.
- Rising ocean temperatures are contributing to the bacteria's northward spread, with cases recently detected near New York's Long Island. A 2023 study found the northernmost reach shifts by about 30 miles annually.
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103 Articles
Five people have died in Louisiana after getting infected with the bacterium Vibrio vulnificus. These are their symptoms, how they spread and why they worry about their expansion.
Louisiana confirmed nine cases and five deaths from Vibrio vulnificus, the meat-eating bacterium, in its U.S. coastal waters during 2026
Louisiana health officials report surge of infections from flesh-eating bacteria
Health officials in Louisiana are urging beachgoers to take precautions during a summertime surge in infections from a flesh-eating bacteria found in coastal waters. Related video above from 2025: Doctor answers questions about rare bacteria causing flesh-eating disease So far in 2026, there have been nine cases of the deadly Vibrio vulnificus bacteria, all of which involved people who had wounds exposed to seawater. The patients also had underl…
Associated Press News
Health officials urge caution for Gulf Coast beachgoers during surge of deadly bacterial infections
Health officials in Louisiana are urging beachgoers to take precautions during a summertime surge in infections from a flesh-eating bacteria.
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