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Two more people in Louisiana have died after consuming oysters contaminated with the flesh-eating bacteria Vibrio vulnificus.

Health officials confirmed to WBRZ that the additional deaths bring the state’s total to six this year. Another 14 people have been infected, raising the number of reported cases to 34 — the highest level in a decade.

The surge prompted the Louisiana Department of Health to release a statement on July 31, urging residents to take extra precautions against Vibrio vulnificus, the bacteria responsible for the illness known as Vibriosis.

“It’s just prolific right now,” said Jennifer Armentor, molluscan shellfish program administrator with the Louisiana Department of Health, according to WBR.

Vibrio bacteria are naturally found in coastal waters, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) explains. Infections can occur if someone with an open wound — including those from recent tattoos or piercings — comes into contact with the water. However, most cases are linked to eating raw or undercooked shellfish, especially oysters. Because oysters filter large amounts of water, Vibrio can accumulate inside them.

The oysters tied to the latest fatalities were harvested in Louisiana and served in restaurants in both Florida and Louisiana. The CDC notes that there is no way to visually detect whether an oyster contains Vibrio or other harmful bacteria.

The bacteria are often referred to as “flesh-eating” because some infections can progress into necrotizing fasciitis — a severe condition where tissue around a wound begins to die.

While diarrhea and vomiting are the most common symptoms of Vibriosis, the CDC warns that some patients develop life-threatening complications that may require amputation. About one in five infected individuals die from the illness.