Fatal Infections Linked to Seawater and Oysters Strike N.Y. Area

3 Die in N.Y. Area From Infection Spread Through Seawater and Oysters

Three people in the New York City area have died in recent weeks and a fourth person was hospitalized after contracting infections from a flesh-eating bacteria that can be caused by eating raw oysters or swimming in saltwater, health officials in New York and Connecticut said.

The bacteria, called Vibrio vulnificus, is found in raw seafood, like oysters, and warm, brackish waters. Infections from the bacteria are rare but extremely dangerous, with a mortality rate of one in five people who become infected, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Many survivors of the infection lose limbs to amputations.

Health officials are urging providers to be vigilant in identifying cases of vibriosis, as it is not often the first diagnosis that comes to mind. People with open wounds should avoid swimming in warm seawater, and those with compromised immune systems should be cautious with eating or handling raw seafood.

One of the deaths occurred in Suffolk County, Long Island, while the other two were in Connecticut. In the fourth case, the person was sickened but later released from the hospital. Symptoms of vibriosis include diarrhea, stomach cramps, vomiting, fever, and chills. Exposure to the bacteria can also result in ear infections, sepsis, and life-threatening wound infections.

Vibrio vulnificus is known as a “flesh-eating” bacteria because it can cause the flesh around an open wound to die. The infection can destroy soft tissues before entering the bloodstream and causing sepsis. While healthy individuals should not be overly concerned, those with liver problems should exercise caution with seafood consumption.

In the Connecticut cases, two people with open cuts were exposed to water in the Long Island Sound, while the third person became sick after eating raw oysters from outside the state. Connecticut health officials emphasized that nobody has ever been infected with Vibrio from eating shellfish or oysters within the state.

The bacteria is more common in the summer months, and rising ocean temperatures due to climate change may increase the risk of infection. A study published in the journal Scientific Reports found that the bacteria, once rare north of Georgia, has been found farther north in recent years. The researchers noted an increase in wound infections from the virus on the East Coast.

Connecticut has implemented protocols to prevent Vibrio outbreaks, including testing oysters for the bacteria and implementing rules for their storage and freezing. The state’s agriculture department reported no Vibrio outbreaks since the protocols were put in place in 2014.

Despite the recent deaths, organizers of the annual Milford Oyster Festival in Connecticut assure the public of safety. They plan to provide 30,000 oysters, all harvested off the town’s coast, and take precautions such as immediate refrigeration and regular temperature checks.

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What measures are health officials taking to prevent further infections caused by Vibrio vulnificus in the New York City area?

Weeks leading up to the announcement, three individuals in the New York City area lost their lives due to an infection originating from seawater and oysters. Health officials in New York and Connecticut stated that an additional person was hospitalized after falling victim to the same infection.

The specific bacterium responsible for the infections is called Vibrio vulnificus. It can be found in raw seafood, particularly oysters, as well as warm and brackish waters. While infections caused by this bacterium are rare, they are extremely dangerous. The mortality rate for those infected is as high as one in five, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In severe cases, amputations may be necessary.

Health officials are urging medical professionals to exercise caution and remain alert when diagnosing cases of vibriosis, as this may not be the first condition that comes to mind. Additionally, individuals with open wounds are advised to avoid swimming in warm seawater. Those with weakened immune systems should handle and consume raw seafood with caution.

Of the three deaths, one occurred in Suffolk County, Long Island, while the other two were reported in Connecticut. These incidents highlight the importance of understanding the potential risks associated with consuming raw oysters and swimming in certain bodies of water.