Flesh-eating bacteria Vibrio vulnificus has been identified in Louisiana and is spreading along the East Coast, claiming multiple lives. The bacteria are naturally found in coastal waters during warmer months and thrive in brackish areas where fresh water meets the sea.
Linard Lyons, a 65-year-old man from Louisiana, recently contracted the infection after a tiny scratch on his leg became infected with the bacteria. He was given a 50/50 chance of survival and underwent surgery to remove the infection. However, his recovery has been long and painful due to his diabetes.
According to the Centers for Disease Control Prevention (CDC), Vibrio vulnificus can be contracted through wound-to-water contact or consuming raw or undercooked meats, particularly seafood. The Louisiana Department of Health requires restaurants serving raw oysters to clearly display warning signs about foodborne illness.
Climate change is being blamed for the increased prevalence of this potentially deadly bacteria. Rising ocean temperatures and sea levels are creating conditions that allow more bacteria to survive through the winter, leading to worse outbreaks in the summer.
Experts urge residents and visitors to be aware of the risks and take precautions. “Any wound, even a tiny scratch, should be thoroughly washed with soap and clean running water,” says Dr. Jim Oliver, a professor at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.
The CDC reports that about 1 in 5 people with Vibrio vulnificus infection die, sometimes within a day or two of becoming ill. Lyons’ story serves as a warning to others: “If you develop symptoms, seek help immediately and get to the emergency room.”
Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2025/08/27/us/flesh-eating-bacteria-climate-change