Five people have passed away in Louisiana, and dozens more were said to be sickened amid an ongoing outbreak of cases linked to vibriosis.

This is said to be an illness caused by the flesh eating bacteria Vibrio Vulnificus. As confirmed by the Louisiana Department of Health, the coastal state continues to see a high number of Vibrio cases and deaths than are typically reported.

It’s more than double the cases from the previous year. In 2024, 10 people were sickened by Vibrio, and one death occurred. This year, 26 cases of vibriosis were reported, and all those patients have required some kind of hospitalization, as per the Health Department.

Vibrio are known as flesh-eating bacteria that thrive in saltwater and brackish water. As per the CDC, most people get sick by vibrio after eating raw or undercooked shellfish, especially oysters because this bacteria can concentrate inside the shellfish.

Two of the deaths in Louisiana were said to be related to tainted oysters, but the Department of Health mentioned how 85% of those sickened reported wound/seawater exposure. Vibrio can give rise to an infection if the swimmer has an open cut, a scrape, or any kind of recent tattoo or opening.