Five people have died and 26 others have been hospitalized in Louisiana due to an outbreak of Vibrio vulnificus, a flesh-eating bacteria that thrives in warm coastal waters. The Louisiana Department of Health confirmed the fifth death on September 16, 2025, as the state continues to see significantly higher case numbers than in previous years.
The current outbreak represents more than double the cases from 2024, when Louisiana reported ten Vibrio infections and one death during the same period. Health officials noted that during the previous ten years, the state averaged ten Vibrio vulnificus cases and one death annually. All 26 patients confirmed with vibriosis this year have required hospitalization, with 24 having at least one underlying health condition.
According to health department data, 85 percent of those infected reported wound or seawater exposure, while two deaths were linked to consumption of contaminated oysters. The bacteria naturally occurs in coastal waters and reaches higher concentrations from May through October when ocean temperatures are warmer.
Vibrio vulnificus infections can occur through two primary routes: consuming raw or undercooked shellfish, particularly oysters, or through open wounds exposed to brackish or salt water. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention explains that the bacteria can concentrate inside shellfish, making them dangerous when consumed raw. People can also become infected when swimming with open cuts, scrapes, recent tattoos, or piercings.
In mild cases, victims experience watery diarrhea, stomach cramping, nausea, vomiting, and fever. However, bloodstream and wound infections prove far more severe, causing dangerously low blood pressure, skin blisters, and necrotizing fasciitis, commonly known as flesh-eating disease. Medical professionals may need to amputate patients’ limbs to remove dead or infected tissue in severe cases.
The mortality rate for Vibrio vulnificus infections remains high, with approximately one in five people dying within one to two days of becoming ill. Individuals with compromised immune systems face particularly elevated risks, including those with cancer, liver disease, diabetes, HIV, or the genetic blood disorder thalassemia. People taking immune-suppressing drugs, acid-reducing medications, or those who have undergone recent stomach surgery also face increased vulnerability.
Louisiana health officials emphasized that while most infected individuals had comorbidities, anyone “can get a Vibrio infection.” The department stressed the importance of preventive measures for all residents, regardless of health status.
The outbreak extends beyond Louisiana’s borders, with dozens of cases reported across the United States this year, though exact national numbers remain unavailable. Most infections have occurred in southern states and along the East Coast. Florida has also reported five deaths and 28 cases during 2025.
Approximately half of the 150 to 200 Vibrio infections reported annually in the United States occur in Gulf Coast states, including Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida. Louisiana and Florida have consistently recorded the highest numbers of cases and deaths since federal reporting requirements were established in 2007.
Health officials recommend several precautionary measures to prevent infection. People should avoid consuming raw shellfish and stay out of brackish or salt water when they have open wounds. If water contact is unavoidable, wounds should be covered with waterproof bandages. The department also advises wearing gloves and protective clothing when handling raw seafood.
Individuals who develop skin infections after water exposure should seek immediate medical attention. Early recognition and treatment prove crucial for preventing severe complications and death from Vibrio vulnificus infections.
The Louisiana Department of Health continues monitoring the situation while urging residents to exercise caution around coastal waters and seafood consumption. Officials have not provided specific explanations for this year’s dramatic increase in cases, though the bacteria’s prevalence typically peaks during warmer months when more people engage in water activities and consume raw shellfish.
