Health officials say that 32 people in the Gulf Coast states -Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida have been infected this year by a dangerous bacteria found in warm seawater and raw shellfish. Of the total affected individuals, eight have died.
The department revealed that the bacteria, called Vibrio vulnificus, is sometimes also known as a “flesh-eating” bacteria as it can cause serious infections that destroy skin and tissue. It lives in coastal waters when the weather is warm and is also found in raw seafood, especially oysters.
So far this year, Louisiana has reported 17 cases and four deaths. Most of these infections happened after people were exposed to seawater. The state’s health department says this is higher than usual between 2013 and 2023, Louisiana averaged only 13 cases a year…