Advertisement 3 confirmed cases of flesh-eating bacteria on Gulf Coast of Alabama, Mississippi Share Shares Copy Link Copy

Mobile County health officials are confirming three cases of flesh-eating bacteria, or "vibrio vulnificus," in the county.Barbara Gibbs, who oversees the Infectious Disease and Control Department with the county health department, says one case was from an individual who consumed raw oysters in another state. The other two, she says, were due to exposing open wounds in area waters. WALA-TV reports the latter two cases happened during June - one in the Mississippi Sound and the other on Dauphin Island. Health officials say all three cases are considered mild. Dr. Karen Landers with the Alabama Department of Public Health says they're working with Mississippi health officials to further investigate the case that involved a Mississippi woman who was fishing off Fairhope Pier.Vibrios Illness via ADPH:What is vibriosis?Vibrios illness is caused by bacteria found naturally in seawater environments, like bay or gulf waters.Vibrio infections occur with exposure to seawater or consumption of raw or undercooked contaminated seafood.Vibriosis includes 2 different types of infections: Vibrio parahaemolyticus (V. parahaemolyticus) and Vibrio vulnificus (V. vulnificus).All vibriosis infections must be reported to the Alabama Department of Public Health.What are the symptoms of vibriosis?General vibrios illness symptoms may include diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain, chills, fever, shock, skin lesions, and wound infections.V. parahaemolyticus typically causes non-bloody diarrhea.V. vulnificus can cause in people who are immunocompromised, for example liver disease or cancer, to be at higher risk for serious complications. For high-risk people, V. vulnificus typically infects the bloodstream, causing a life-threatening illness.How does vibriosis spread?V. parahaemolyticus and V. vulnificus generally are not passed person-to-person.Vibriosis infections occur when people eat raw or undercooked shellfish, particularly oysters.Less commonly, vibriosis can cause an infection in the skin when an open wound is exposed to warm seawater.How do I stop the spread of Vibriosis?Most V. parahaemolyticus and V. vulnificus in the United States can be prevented by:Thoroughly cooking seafood, especially oysters.Avoiding exposure of open wounds to warm seawater.Closing oyster beds when an outbreak is traced to an oyster bed by health officials recommend, until vibrios levels are lower.What should I do if I suspect I have vibriosis?Contact your healthcare provider to determine if you have contracted vibriosis.For most cases of V. parahaemolyticus infection treatment is not necessary. There is no evidence that antibiotic treatment decreases the severity or the length of the illness. Patients should drink plenty of liquids to replacefluids lost through diarrhea.For V. vulnificus cases, treatment should be initiated immediately because antibiotics improve survivalAggressive attention should be given to the wound site and amputation of the infected limb is sometimesnecessary