Health officials are warning of a rise in potentially deadly "flesh-eating" bacteria cases along the Gulf Coast, with Louisiana reporting higher numbers than usual this summer.
Louisiana health officials have reported 17 cases of Vibrio vulnificus so far this year -- four of which have resulted in death. That compares to an average of seven cases and one death in the same period over the past 10 years. All 17 cases in Louisiana resulted in the person being hospitalized, the Louisiana Department of Health said.
Meanwhile, health officials in Florida confirmed 13 cases and four deaths this year.
"This is a very scary-sounding bacteria, Vibrio vulnificus. Fortunately, it is rare, but it can be very deadly," Dr. Alok Patel, ABC News medical contributor and pediatrician at Stanford Children's Health, told ABC News.
"This bacteria normally exists in warm water, salty water, sometimes brackish water, especially during summer months," Dr. Patel explained. Brackish water occurs where fresh water meets salt water.
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The bacteria can infect people in two ways: through open wounds exposed to coastal waters or by eating raw or undercooked seafood, particularly oysters. Symptoms can range from stomach illness to severe wound infections, and in some cases, life-threatening blood poisoning.
"If you come in contact with ocean water when you have cuts or eat raw seafood and you get sick, you want to make sure you see a doctor immediately, because this needs to be treated quickly," Patel warned.
The Louisiana Department of Health noted that certain people face higher risks, including those with liver disease, cancer, diabetes or weakened immune systems. About one in five people with severe infections died, sometimes within just days of becoming ill.
To stay safe, health officials recommended avoiding salt water if you have open wounds, thoroughly washing any cuts exposed to ocean water and being cautious with raw seafood.
"The ocean is dirty news. Don't get into it if you have open cuts," Patel advised.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimated 80,000 cases of vibriosis occur each year in the U.S, with most cases linked to contaminated food.
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