Five people in Louisiana have died this year after contracting a flesh-eating bacterium found in warm coastal waters, a figure that state health officials say is significantly higher than the annual average.
The Louisiana Department of Health confirmed that, as of Wednesday, at least 26 people had been infected with Vibrio vulnificus in 2025, with every case requiring hospitalisation. Officials reported that 85 per cent of infections were linked to wounds exposed to seawater, while 92 per cent of patients had at least one underlying health condition.
Over the past decade, Louisiana has averaged 10 Vibrio infections and one death annually. The marked increase this year follows warnings from scientists that such infections are becoming more common as sea surface temperatures rise, a trend associated with the climate crisis driven largely by human greenhouse gas emissions.
Vibrio bacteria thrive in warm coastal waters, particularly between May and October. Infections can occur when open wounds come into contact with seawater or through the consumption of raw or undercooked seafood. The Vibrio vulnificus strain is especially dangerous, killing about one in five people it infects, sometimes within 48 hours of the onset of symptoms. Survivors may require intensive care or limb amputation.
One recent case has drawn particular attention in the region. Basil Kennedy, 77, who grew up in New Orleans, died in July after contracting the bacterium in Bay St Louis, Mississippi. According to his daughter, Kennedy scraped his leg on a boat trailer, cleaned and bandaged the wound, and avoided entering the water. However, his condition deteriorated rapidly, and he died within three days.
Speaking to local broadcaster WVUE, his daughter, Kay Kennedy Regimbal, said there was no need for people to fear the water but stressed the importance of public awareness. “There really needs to be an education and an understanding of how to be prepared for a situation where you may be exposed or there is a potential risk,” she said.
Symptoms of Vibrio infection can include gastrointestinal illness, severe wound infections, fever, blistering and dangerously low blood pressure when the bloodstream is affected.
Nationally, the United States records between 150 and 200 cases of Vibrio vulnificus each year. Around half occur in the Gulf Coast states of Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida. Louisiana officials said the highest numbers of cases and deaths this year have been reported in their state and in Florida.
Health authorities have urged residents and visitors to take precautions, including avoiding seawater if they have open wounds, covering injuries with waterproof bandages, and ensuring seafood is thoroughly cooked before consumption. They have also advised those with compromised immune systems or chronic illnesses to be particularly vigilant.
The rise in infections has reinforced concerns among public health experts about the impact of warming seas on the spread of marine pathogens. With Gulf Coast waters remaining warmer for longer periods, officials warn that the risk of Vibrio exposure could extend beyond the traditional summer season, increasing the need for year-round awareness and preventive measures.
