Health officials urge caution for Gulf Coast beachgoers during surge of deadly bacterial infections
Health officials in Louisiana are warning beachgoers about a surge in Vibrio vulnificus, a flesh-eating bacteria that thrives in warm, brackish coastal waters. The state has seen a significant increase in hospitalizations and deaths compared to previous years.
Why it matters
Rising temperatures linked to climate change are expanding the range and prevalence of dangerous pathogens, posing a growing public health risk.
BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — 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.
Louisiana has confirmed nine cases of Vibrio vulnificus infections this year, the state’s health department said last week in a news release . All were hospitalized, and five died. During the same period over the previous decade, Louisiana reported an average of seven cases and one death.
“Seek medical care immediately if a wound exposed to brackish or salt water becomes red, swollen, painful, warm or discolored,” officials said in the release. ”Tell the health care provider about the water exposure.”
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