Louisiana Bacteria Kills Five

Louisiana health officials warned beachgoers and seafood consumers after the state confirmed nine Vibrio vulnificus infections this year, with all nine patients hospitalized and five deaths. The toll is above Louisiana’s 10-year average for the same point in the year, when the state typically records about seven cases and one death. Vibrio vulnificus lives in warm coastal waters and can cause life-threatening wound infections or illness after exposure to contaminated seawater or raw or undercooked seafood. Officials urged people with open wounds to avoid coastal waters, cover cuts, and cook seafood thoroughly.