Florida and Maryland Report Additional 2026 Cases as Researchers Detect the Deadly Bacterium in New York Coastal Waters
By SPEAKIN’ OUT NEWS
BATON ROUGE, La. – Louisiana health officials are warning residents to protect open wounds from coastal water after nine people contracted Vibrio vulnificus in 2026 and five died.[1]
All nine patients were hospitalized, had underlying medical conditions and developed infections associated with wounds exposed to seawater, according to the Louisiana Department of Health. During the same period over the previous decade, the state averaged seven cases and one death.[1]
Vibrio vulnificus occurs naturally in warm salt and brackish water, particularly from May through October. People can become infected when coastal water or raw-seafood juices enter a cut, scrape, recent surgical incision, piercing or tattoo. Eating raw or undercooked shellfish – especially oysters – is another recognized exposure route, although Louisiana officials linked every reported state case this year to wound exposure.[1][2]
The bacterium can cause necrotizing fasciitis, a rapidly progressing infection that destroys tissue surrounding a wound – giving rise to the “flesh-eating” description. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes, however, that group A Streptococcus is the nation’s most common cause of necrotizing fasciitis.[2]
Warning signs include fever, increasing pain, redness, swelling, warmth, discoloration or drainage near a wound. Bloodstream infection can cause chills, dangerously low blood pressure and blistering skin lesions.[2]
About one in five people with Vibrio vulnificus infection dies, sometimes within one or two days. People with liver disease, cancer, diabetes, HIV or weakened immune systems face greater danger.[2]
Officials recommend staying out of coastal water with an open wound or covering it with a waterproof bandage. Wash exposed wounds immediately with soap and clean water. Anyone developing symptoms should seek emergency medical care and report the water exposure.[3]