Eight US Deaths Linked to Oyster-Related Flesh-Eating Bacteria

Eight people have died in the United States this year from vibriosis caused by Vibrio vulnificus, a flesh-eating bacterium linked to oysters and warm Gulf Coast waters. The latest fatality occurred in Bay County, Florida, as Florida and Louisiana report multiple cases. Health officials warn that infections can be severe, especially for those with underlying health conditions, and advise avoiding raw shellfish and protecting wounds from seawater.