Two dead after contracting flesh-eating bacteria from popular seafood product as dozens infected across multiple states

Two people have died and dozens more infected after eating raw oysters from Louisiana which were contaminated with flesh-eating bacteria.

A Louisiana resident and a Florida resident died after eating raw oysters and contracting Vibrio vulnificus, officials revealed this week.

The impacted oysters were harvested in Louisiana.

Health officials told WBRZ that the total number of deaths related to the bacteria in 2025 alone has now been brought up to six.

Louisiana Department of Health molluscan shellfish program administrator Jennifer Armentor told the outlet that they have also identified 14 new infections.

The total number of people infected this year has reached 34.

‘It’s just prolific right now,’ Armentor told the Louisiana Oyster Task Force on Tuesday at the New Orleans Lakefront Airport.

The Louisiana Health Department issued a statement on July 31 urging residents to ‘take precautions to prevent infection from Vibrio vulnificus.’

A Louisiana resident and another person in Florida died after eating oysters and contracting flesh-eating bacteria, or Vibrio vulnificus

After such high numbers of cases, the Louisiana Health Department issued a statement on July 31 urging residents to ‘take precautions to prevent infection from Vibrio vulnificus’

Most infections come from those who have ingested raw or undercooked shellfish, especially oysters, because as the shellfish feed by filtering water, so ‘Vibrio can concentrate inside oysters’

Vibrio typically live in warm coastal waters, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Swimmers with an open wound, a recent tattoo or piercing can become infected.

Most infections come from those who have ingested raw or undercooked shellfish, especially oysters, because as the shellfish feed by filtering water, so ‘Vibrio can concentrate inside oysters.’

If infected, the bacterium can cause necrotizing fasciitis which is ‘a severe infection in which the flesh around an open wound dies,’ according to the CDC.

Many of those infected experience diarrhea and vomiting. Some severe cases require amputation and one in five are fatal.