Louisiana’s Latest Horror Story Isn’t a Movie, It’s Flesh-Eating Bacteria

Louisiana's recent rise in numbers of people infected with flesh-eating bacteria is essentially the bones of a modern horror movie.

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Vibrio vulnificus, that's the culprit. Flesh-eating bacteria is on the rise and an article from Louisiana Radio Network that features Louisiana State epidemiologist, Theresa Sokol, points out that this year's outbreak of this bacteria is especially bad as 20 Louisiana people have been hospitalized, and the number at this time of year is normally half that amount.

Sokol did want to make special note that not all of these infections were directly from Louisiana waters and she advised that all should use caution in all of the Gulf waters.

Telling LRN that Vibrio thrives in warm salt and brackish waters, Sokol added that “Increasing water temperatures and sometimes extreme weather events can result in an increased number of Vibrio infections.”

When asked about the severity of these infections, Sokol pointed out they can lead to amputations and are sometimes fatal.

These aren't necessarily "random" attacks.  It would appear there are several things a person can do to prevent contracting the virus.  One of those things is to limit exposure to the bacteria.

According to Sokol, a person can become infected by eating raw seafood from exposed waters, but most people infected were exposed through open wounds. She says if you have a wound, stay out of brackish and salt waters.

Should you inadvertently get exposed, watch for possible symptoms of skin infections like redness, swelling, blisters, and fever and should you make this discovery, contact your doctor immediately and inform them of what's transpired.