Five Dead, Nine Hospitalized in Louisiana Vibrio Outbreak

Five Dead, Nine Hospitalized in Louisiana Vibrio Outbreak

BATON ROUGE, La. — Five Louisiana residents have died and nine have been hospitalized this year after contracting Vibrio vulnificus, a potentially deadly bacterium found naturally in warm coastal waters.

The Louisiana Department of Health announced that nine cases have been reported among Louisiana residents so far in 2026. All nine patients required hospitalization, and five died. The numbers are especially concerning when compared with previous years — during the same period over the past decade, Louisiana averaged about seven cases and one death.

All nine Louisiana cases reported this year were associated with wounds exposed to seawater, according to LDH. Every patient also had an underlying health condition.

Vibrio vulnificus is a naturally occurring bacterium that thrives in warm saltwater and brackish water, making Gulf Coast waters particularly favorable during the warmer months. It is sometimes referred to as a “flesh-eating bacteria” because severe wound infections can rapidly destroy skin and surrounding tissue.

People can become infected when an open cut, scrape, burn or other wound comes into contact with contaminated coastal water. Infection can also occur from eating raw or undercooked seafood, particularly oysters, although Louisiana officials said the nine cases reported so far this year were connected to wound exposure. Severe infections can progress rapidly and may require intensive care or even amputation. Approximately one in five people who develop a Vibrio vulnificus infection dies, and in some severe cases death can occur within a day or two after becoming ill.

Anyone can develop a Vibrio infection, but serious illness is more likely among people with certain underlying medical conditions or weakened immune systems. Health officials are particularly urging people with open wounds to avoid saltwater and brackish water when possible. If a wound does come into contact with coastal water, it should be washed thoroughly with soap and clean running water. People should seek medical attention immediately if a wound exposed to saltwater or brackish water becomes red, swollen, painful, warm or discolored, and they should tell medical providers about the water exposure.

Louisiana’s current numbers show why officials are sounding the alarm. With five deaths among only nine reported cases so far this year, the state’s death toll has already far exceeded what Louisiana typically sees during the same portion of the year. The Louisiana Department of Health says it will continue tracking Vibrio vulnificus cases as the warm-water season continues.

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