5 Dead, Dozens Hospitalized amid Outbreak of Flesh-Eating Bacteria Linked to Beaches and Seafood

Five people have died in Louisiana and dozens more have gotten sick during an ongoing outbreak of vibriosis, an illness caused by the flesh-eating bacteria Vibrio vulnificus.

The Louisiana Department of Health confirmed the fifth death on Sept. 16, noting that the state “continues to see a higher number of Vibrio cases and deaths than are typically reported.”

This year’s outbreak is much worse than last year. In 2024, ten people were sickened and one person died. So far in 2025, there have been 26 confirmed cases, and every patient has needed to be hospitalized, according to the department.

Vibrio bacteria are naturally found in saltwater and brackish water, which is a mix of salt and fresh water. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says most infections happen after eating raw or undercooked shellfish, especially oysters, since the bacteria can build up inside them.

Two of the deaths in Louisiana were linked to contaminated oysters, but health officials say about 85% of the sickened patients reported being exposed to seawater through an open wound, cut, scrape, or even a recent tattoo or piercing.

In mild cases, vibriosis can cause watery diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting, and fever, according to the CDC.

More serious infections can enter the bloodstream or infect wounds, leading to dangerously low blood pressure, skin blisters, and necrotizing fasciitis — often called flesh-eating disease. In severe cases, doctors may need to amputate arms or legs to stop the infection from spreading.

People with underlying conditions like liver disease or cancer face a higher risk of serious illness, but the Louisiana Department of Health warns that “anyone can get a Vibrio infection.”

The department advises people to stay out of brackish or salt water if they have an open wound, or to cover wounds with a waterproof bandage if contact with water or raw seafood is possible. Officials also urge anyone who develops a skin infection after being in the water to see a doctor immediately.