Fatal Outbreak: Flesh-Eating Bacteria Claims Lives in New York and Connecticut
The New York State Health Department has issued guidance to help residents identify and protect against a flesh-eating bacterium, Vibrio vulnificus, which has caused the deaths of three individuals in New York and Connecticut. Vibriosis, a rare but potentially fatal bacterial infection, can be contracted through raw shellfish or seawater. Governor Kathy Hochul urged residents to take precautions, including protecting open wounds from seawater and avoiding raw or undercooked shellfish. Symptoms of vibriosis include diarrhea, stomach cramps, vomiting, fever, and chills. Individuals with compromised immune systems are at higher risk and should take extra precautions.
