Flesh-eating bacteria causes 5th Louisiana death this year

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

Fifth Louisiana resident dies from vibrio infection in 2025

Vibrio cases occur more often in warmer months

Infections spread through open wounds or raw seafood

Officials warn high-risk groups face severe complications

Another Louisiana resident has died from contracting flesh-eating bacteria , the state health department confirmed Tuesday. This is the fifth person from the state to die this year from a vibrio vulnificus infection, which officials said are occurring at a higher rate than typically reported.

Vibrio live in coastal waters and are found in higher numbers from May to October, when water temperatures are warmer. Persons can contract the bacteria through open wounds or when eating uncooked seafood, mainly oysters.

The state did not say whether the latest