The Mississippi State Department of Health has issued a health advisory after the agency recorded 29 cases of Vibrio infections since Aug. 7. The group includes three cases of Vibrio vulnificus, a severe bacteria strain also known as flesh-eating bacteria, which can cause life-threatening infections.
MSDH has issued notices reminding residents and visitors to the Mississippi Gulf Coast to take steps to protect themselves from the Vibrio bacteria, as severe strains can lead to necrotizing fasciitis, a severe infection that causes flesh surrounding an open wound to die.
There were 40 reported vibrio infections at the same time last year, with five confirmed as Vibrio vulnificus.
There have been no reported deaths caused by Vibrio vulnificus bacteria so far this year in Mississippi. However, the Louisiana Department of Health has reported five deaths and 10 total cases. In Florida, the Florida Department of Health has recorded two deaths and 15 total cases of Vibrio vulnificus infections this year.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that about one in five people with the Vibrio vulnificus infection die. Many people with the infection may get severely ill and in some cases need limb amputation.
What Is Vibriosis?
Vibriosis is a human illness caused by Vibrio bacteria, which is found naturally in coastal brackish waters, where saltwater mixes with freshwater. It is often found in areas where rivers meet the ocean.
The CDC reports that the bacteria is found in higher numbers from May through October during warmer coastal temperatures. The Vibrio bacteria can present as a gastrointestinal infection, wound infection or as a bloodstream infection.
Common signs and symptoms of the vibrio gastrointestinal infection include watery diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting, fever and chills. For the Vibrio bloodstream infection, common signs and symptoms include fever, chills, dangerously low blood pressure, blistering skin lesions. The Vibrio wound infection can cause symptoms such as fever, redness, pain, swelling, warmth, discoloration and discharge.
If you have symptoms of a Vibrio bloodstream or wound infection, the CDC recommends seeking emergency medical care immediately.
Cases in Mississippi
Eighteen of Mississippi’s reported 29 Vibrio bacteria infections have occurred in District 9, which includes George, Hancock, Jackson, Pearl River and Stone counties.
The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality runs the Mississippi Beach Monitoring Program, which posts safety advisories for beaches across the state. However, MDEQ does not monitor or post advisories for Vibrio bacteria because it occurs naturally in coastal environments with brackish water.
The program does monitor for enterococcus bacteria, which is used as an indicator for fecal contamination in coastal waters. It also monitors for fecal coliforms associated with sewage discharges. During active advisories, MDEQ samples the waters at affected beaches every 24 hours.
There are currently active enterococcus bacterial advisories issued for the following Mississippi beaches: Pass Christian Central Beach, Long Beach Beach and Gulfport West Beach. More information about other recent beach advisories can be found on the Beach Monitoring Program’s website.
While MSDH has issued public awareness advisories about Vibrio bacteria, there is no geographic monitoring program tracking its presence on a daily basis along the Gulf Coast.
Vibrio bacteria may be present at Mississippi’s mainland beaches and the offshore barrier islands, especially from May to October due to higher temperatures.
The mainland Gulf Coast is more likely to carry higher levels of the Vibrio and enterococcus bacteria because it experiences lower salinity and higher rates of pollution than beaches at the barrier islands, although the bacteria may still be present.
No beaches in Mississippi have been officially closed due to Vibrio bacteria. Instead, officials have issued recommendations for visitors with open cuts or wounds to stay out of the water and exercise caution when swimming.
How to Prevent Infection
Most people who get vibriosis contract the infection from eating raw or undercooked shellfish or from an open wound coming in contact with water that contains Vibrio bacteria.
The Mississippi State Department of Health has issued the following recommendations to help prevent illness caused by Vibrio:
- Stay out of brackish water or saltwater if you have a wound (including cuts and scrapes) or cover your wound with a waterproof bandage if there’s a possibility it could come into contact with brackish water, saltwater, raw seafood or raw seafood juices.
- Wash wounds and cuts thoroughly with soap and water if they have been exposed to coastal waters or raw seafood or its juices.
- If you develop a skin infection, tell your medical provider if your skin has come into contact with brackish water, saltwater, raw seafood, or raw seafood juices.
- Don’t eat raw or undercooked oysters or other shellfish. Cook them before eating.
- Always wash your hands with soap and water after handing raw shellfish.
- Avoid contaminating cooked shellfish with raw shellfish and its juices.
The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality also has a standing recommendation not to swim within 24 hours of a significant rainfall event.
Follow the Mississippi Free Press’ coverage of the Mississippi Gulf Coast and read past stories here.
Mississippi Free Press stories are always free because we believe everyone should have access to quality journalism. Donations from readers like you make that possible. Please click here to give to help sustain and grow vital, people-over-power journalism for Mississippians.
Readers can sign up for our free newsletters here.
