Deadly bacteria lurks in La. coastal waters

The Louisiana Department of Health is warning residents to take precautions against a potentially fatal bacteria found in warm coastal waters that has killed five people this year.

Vibrio vulnificus exists naturally along the Louisiana coast and has infected nine people this year, according to state health officials. The five vibrio-related deaths this year is a significant increase from the single fatality reported over the previous decade.

The health department said the cases all stemmed from individuals with exposed open wounds immersed in vibrio-infected seawater and who had underlying health conditions. Infection can also occur when people eat raw or undercooked seafood, particularly oysters.