Six people in Louisiana have died and 34 have been infected with Vibrio vulnificus, a flesh-eating bacteria, this year. The bacteria, which thrives in brackish water, is contracted through eating contaminated shellfish or swimming with open wounds. The recent deaths resulted from eating oysters harvested in Louisiana and served in restaurants in Louisiana and Florida. Health officials urge caution, noting that Vibrio cannot be detected visually in oysters. This is the highest infection rate in a decade, prompting warnings about consuming raw or undercooked shellfish.

Prepared by Olivia Bennett and reviewed by editorial team.