Flesh-eating bacteria on the rise in Florida, CDC says; Deaths traced back to contaminated oysters

Both of the fatal cases were traced to Louisiana-harvested oysters that ended up on plates in restaurants in Louisiana and Florida.

The bacterium, Vibrio vulnificus, has now been linked to six deaths in Louisiana and five deaths in Florida, according to the states' health departments.

BRAIN EATING AMOEBA-INFECTED PATIENT DIES, MISSOURI HEALTH OFFICIALS CONFIRM

The rising number of outbreaks prompted the Louisiana Department of Health to issue a statement July 31, urging residents to take precautions against vibriosis, the infection caused by Vibrio vulnificus.

Vibrio vulnificus is part of a wider group of Vibrio bacteria, which are found in coastal waters, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states.

Vibrio has the potential to cause severe infections, according to Dr. A