Vibrio vulnificus: What You Need To Know

Vibrio vulnificus is a bacterium in the same family as those that cause cholera. It normally lives in warm seawater and is part of a group of vibrios that are called "halophilic" because they require salt.

It can cause disease in those who eat contaminated seafood or have an open wound that is exposed to seawater. Although Vibrio vulnificus is a rare cause of disease, it is also believed to be underreported.

Among healthy people, ingestion of the organism can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. In immune-compromised persons, particularly those with chronic liver disease, it can infect the bloodstream, causing a severe and life-threatening illness characterized by fever and chills, decreased blood pressure (septic shock), and blistering skin lesions. Bloodstream infections are fatal about 50% of the time.

It can cause an infection of the skin when open wounds are exposed to warm seawater; these infections may lead to skin breakdown and ulceration. People with immune-compromised conditions are at higher risk for infections.

Tips for preventing Vibrio vulnificus infections, particularly among immune-compromised patients, including those with underlying liver disease include the following:
• Do not eat raw oysters or other raw shellfish.
• Cook shellfish (oysters, clams, mussels) thoroughly.
• Avoid cross-contamination of cooked seafood and other foods with raw seafood.
• Eat shellfish promptly after cooking and refrigerate leftovers.
• Avoid exposure of open wounds or broken skin to warm salt or brackish water, or to raw shellfish harvested from such waters.
• Wear protective clothing (e.g., gloves) when handling raw shellfish.

These are just a few things to know about Vibrio vulnificus, to learn more about microbial pathogens or other health and safety and environmental issues, please visits the websites shown on the video.

[raimundobarbado]

Good video. Add that due to climate change, as the temperature of the waters increases due to global warming, these bacteria proliferate. Greetings.

[pinkymixology]

That's why when I eat raw oysters, I drench them in gin. Before and during eating. ...works for me!

[zay_y]

Should I worry if I have a closed or healing wound?

[charleshorseman]

Vibrio is dangerous for people with high iron.

[bsdude]

This nasty stuff is making central Florida a scary place. Waste of waves, man. :|

[xinglinjiang]

how can you avoid little skin cut if you love eating lobster, crap, shell fish. especally teapot shrimp.

[onwun]

We'd better not eat raw oysters anymore ??

[chantelleabney]

Let me you how my husband lost his leg it’s called testing the waters